Maro Itoje shares pride in cousin Andre Harriman-Annous after he made his Arsenal debut in Carabao Cup win over Brighton as surprise family connection comes to light - and the advice the England captain gave him before first team bow

Maro Itoje joked he had passed on his family’s sporting baton after the England and Lions captain’s cousin Andre Harriman-Annous made his senior Arsenal debut aged just 17.

Itoje’s rugby achievements have established himself as English rugby royalty.

But he is not the only sporting star among his relatives. Harriman-Annous is the latest product of the Arsenal academy.

The talented attacker appeared for the Gunners for the first time in their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton on Wednesday.

He played 77 minutes at The Emirates as Arsenal’s leading striker before being replaced by England international Declan Rice.

Itoje, who is a big Arsenal fan, is preparing for England’s autumn opener with Australia on Saturday so did not attend the match in person. But he described Harriman-Annous’ Arsenal bow as ‘incredibly exciting.’

Itoje added: ‘I am incredibly proud and very happy for him. He has worked incredibly hard over the last 10 years.

‘They start so young these footballers. I remember going to his house and his older cousins were putting him through his paces as a seven-year-old. I remembered thinking it was quite intense! Everyone is really happy and really proud.

‘I have passed the baton. I want him to fly. He has done amazingly well and long may it continue, not only because he is my cousin but also because I support Arsenal. It is a double whammy.’

Harriman-Annous is at the very start of his football journey, while Itoje is one of Test rugby’s most established figures.

Before the Brighton game, Harriman-Annous had only previously been included in one Arsenal matchday squad.

But he was a Gunners goal machine at youth and academy level and has impressed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

‘Since pre-season when he was with us, I was very impressed with him,’ Arteta said of Harriman-Annous after the Brighton win. ‘First of all, it’s his mentality, how much he wants it. That's the first ingredient. He's desperate to achieve his dream.

‘I think he has been very consistent, training with us and constantly giving us the option to pick him. I believe today was the right day for him, for the context, for the way he's playing as well. He certainly proved he has got a chance.’

Asked if he’d passed on any knowledge or advice to Harriman-Annous, Itoje said: ‘It is all about mindset and mentality. Obviously, I have not spoken to him about anything regarding football. That’s not my bag.

‘I would not even advise him to listen to me in that regard.

‘But in terms of being a professional and the mindset and mentality to training and improving and the dedication and consistency which is required, I think all of those things are definitely applicable and transferable.

‘We have had a few conversations over the years.

‘To be honest, he is a really good kid. I think with football especially – and it is the same in rugby – with the money at play, the attention and the spotlight, it can be quite a tricky space for a young person to navigate.

‘But so far, he has done great. His mum has been amazing and is making sure there’s a good team around him.’