There are very few players, at such a young age, who experience the tremendous highs and lows the game of football has to offer. However, for Sheffield United’s Oliver Arblaster, his career so far has very much been a tale of two halves. From Premier League euphoria to ACL tragedy, this is the story of Oliver Arblaster’s come-up and comeback.
As I arrive at an unassuming location in Canary Wharf for an exclusive photoshoot for the Footballer Fits x Suavo clothing collection, the imminent arrival of one of the Championship’s brightest stars looms large. However, contrary to many stereotypes often associated with burgeoning talents, the warm greeting offered by Oli was a pleasant surprise — and as the day progressed, it became evident that he is just a nice guy.
Rising to acclaim in Sheffield United’s most recent Premier League campaign, the 21-year-old made his mark in the second half of the 2023/2024 season. Thrown into the mix by Chris Wilder, the midfielder took to the Premier League like a fish to water. From his debut as a substitute against Arsenal to his first start in a draw against Bournemouth, the effervescent rookie was consistently eclipsing experienced campaigners. The Club’s Player of the Month for March was on top of the world when he captained his boyhood club at Old Trafford, a memory he will never forget.
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“I only really knew about an hour and a half before the game when we got to the ground. I was checking out the pitch initially when the manager told me that I was going to be captain, and to be honest, I did pinch myself a couple of times thinking, Am I really going to walk out here? And then when it actually happened, it took me back a bit — but it was really good. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to win, but it’s something that I’d just love to go back to and play in again and have that first-time experience again.”
After a heartbreaking end to the previous season, coming so close to returning to the top-flight, the youngster is not shy of reiterating his commitment to taking the club back where it belongs. “That’s the aim. As a boyhood Sheffield United fan, I wanted to stay and play for Sheffield United, and I’ve managed to play a fair few games now for them. Hopefully, this season will be another strong season; we just fell short last year. So I’m hoping I can get back fit and we do well this season, and that’d be my aim for definitely.”
Unfortunately, Oli is no stranger to disappointment in football, and after a flying start in the 24/25 season, his ability to contribute to the club’s promotion push last year was curtailed by an ACL injury suffered in November, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
When asked about his reaction to the injury, the 21-year-old spoke with refreshing honesty and a maturity well beyond his years. “It was tough because this was my first serious injury, and it does knock you back a bit. But it’s just part and parcel of the game. It’s not ideal; there’s never a good time for it to happen. But if I could get it out of the way earlier in my career, then hopefully I can come back stronger and I’ll be better from it as a person as well.”
As we bonded over our shared experience of recovering from ACL surgery, from the struggle to get up the stairs, sitting down in the shower and difficulties with sleep, it became apparent that the mental impact of the injury is equal to, if not greater than, the physical challenges. Supporters often don’t see behind the curtain, and Oli was willing to give insight into his experience, offering a valuable lesson in the difficulties footballers face when recovering from such significant injuries.
“It took me a good couple of months to get my head around what had happened, because it all just happened so quickly. You don’t have any time to think about it, you’re straight in for surgery, and then you’re back, trying to start a long road to recovery. Looking back at it now, I didn’t know how many good and bad days I would go through. But I feel like it’s about not getting too high when times are good, and not getting too low when it’s not going so good. The experience it has put me through, I feel, will make me a better person, mentally. And, when I come through the other side of it, I’ll definitely be better for it.”
Given the typically extensive recovery time for an ACL injury, between 8 and 12 months, I was curious about how he found the monotony of recovery and what he did away from football to switch off. “It’s tough because some training days are horrible, some of the things you’re doing over and over again. Then there’s testing you have to do each month to see what your strength is like, and they’re not fun. I think I watched a video of Roy Keane when he was testing on this chair for his quad muscles, and I’ve done that a fair few times in these last eight months.” [laughs]
“I try to keep my outside life separate from football. I’m someone who I’ll always have to keep myself busy — my missus knows that. I don’t like sitting and thinking about stuff, so I’ll go out with my family and my friends, and go for a game of golf when I was alright to do so. But having good people around you really helps.”
Far from a seasoned professional both on the pitch and in front of the camera, the 21-year-old took the day in his stride. And as the shoot progressed, Oli became increasingly confident, posing in the latest FF x Suavo collection with the same swagger he rocks on the pitch. However, despite his youthfulness, the midfielder has undergone a personal journey when it comes to his wardrobe.
“Nowadays, I like to be a bit different. I used to be someone who’d just buy designer brands, but I feel like I’m finding my own style — not wearing the same, plain things. Not as rascal as Tom Davies, but I definitely pay more of a conscious effort to what I wear now than I did a few years ago.”
And as I quiz him on the best and worst dressed in the team, he’s quick to answer. “Femi Seriki has got the worst dress sense, just because it’s always Louis Vuitton trainers every day.” He’s also quick to praise team-mate Harrison Burrows — “I think he’s got a good dress sense, to be fair. He’ll be buzzing with that.”
In between outfits, Oli was keeping a keen eye on the Belgian Grand Prix, admitting he didn’t want to watch it until he got home. But, as I peer over to the screen and watch Lando Norris’ poor start, I find it hard not to share the news. As we discussed F1, with Arblaster admitting his favourite driver is Lewis Hamilton, albeit this season he’s rooting for Norris in the McLaren, it was evident how engrossed he was in the sport. Admitting he’s an avid fan, I asked what it is about watching other sports that he enjoys most.
“I think it’s just a completely different thing for me, and I just love how they go about their lifestyle. I think if I could swap with any job, that’s what I’d want to be, an F1 driver. Just because you get to do all this travelling and go to different places. It’s just a different work environment, and it’s something I just loved watching. I just love watching all the different sports. Golf, darts, Formula 1. Tennis. I do watch football as well, but I play football every day, so something that I can watch that’s different, I like to do that.”
At the very mention of golf, I let out a fairly audible sigh. Unfortunately, I’ve never understood the hype around golf amongst footballers, but Arblaster was keen to explain his interest in the sport, despite being 21 years old.
“I got into golf a couple of years ago, it’s just one of those sports that’s so frustrating, but I think it’s just the hardest sport to do, and I’ve just always wanted to get better at golf. I’ll play awful for four hours and be so annoyed, but then I’ll hit an amazing shot, and it gives you a different feeling to what football gives you. They’re just two completely different feelings. And it’s just social, innit? People in my family play, my close friends, and the lads at football will go after training. Honestly, I just love playing golf — it’s the best.”
Despite his passionate plea, I was still unconvinced, and as I pushed back, suggesting it’s a sport tailored more towards 60-year-olds at the latter stage of their career, Oli was quick to respond. “See, I was the same. Three, four years ago, I never wanted to go for a round of golf, but if I’m on my day off or whatever, I’ll want to go and play golf, because it’s something that I just wanted to do.”
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And as we continued to discuss his interests away from the game, Oli mentioned he was at the Drake concert in Manchester the night before — now this was something I was more than happy to engage in. Particularly as his profile grows, and the opportunity for anonymity declines with every appearance, music concerts offer a respite from the high-pressure environment of football.
“Well, I just see myself as a normal person anyway. But, just going to things like that, it’s just something I like doing. It just helps me take my mind off football, especially now I’ve been injured. Just different things that I enjoy doing help me cope with life when I’m back in football day to day because it’s ruthless. You’re pushing yourself every day to get back fit, so anything that I can do to switch off is good. And, it was a good night. “
On the topic of concerts, he also admits to seeing Oasis a few weeks prior, and as I set up to ask which he enjoyed more, the 21-year-old grins in anticipation of a tough question. “So I like Drake better, I do. But I think Oasis was probably a better all-together atmosphere. I think it was probably played better, and the atmosphere was probably better, but I obviously listen to Drake a lot more than Oasis. But I just love them both, it was good.”
Given his affinity for Drake, I was interested to learn who the midfielder would place in his top 5 artists, and the answers were a welcome surprise. Beyond the typical shouts of‘’Drake,’ ‘Lil Baby,’ and ‘Chris Brown,’ I was pleased to hear him acknowledge both ‘Adele’ and ‘Don Toliver.’
As the day drew to an end, with Oli keen to pack up a few of the fits he modelled for the shoot, the gratitude and respect with which he bid goodbye to the crew stuck out. Purposefully acknowledging and addressing every single member of the team individually as he worked his way around the room in preparation for his departure, it was a gesture of genuine kindness that summarised his character.
Dutiful and humble, this rising star has all the ingredients to go to the very top of the game, and after his performance in front of the camera, I can imagine a Paris Fashion Week appearance isn’t far off either. Before his departure, he comes over and thanks me for the interview, tongue-in-cheek as he offers clarity on the interview audio because of his accent — a humorous gesture, but one which reiterates his innate authenticity.
A tale of two halves so far, this baller is on his way back, and he’s coming for everything, so remember the name — Oliver Arblaster is going right to the very top.
