'Too many clones in football' - Carlisle's Azeez

Miguel Azeez played for Arsenal in a Europa League tie against Dundalk in 2020 [Shutterstock] Carlisle United's new arrival Miguel Azeez is determined to do it his way as he attempts to take the club back to the Football League. The creative midfielder, who came through the Arsenal academy, wants to stamp his own unique mark on the National League club having become new manager Rob Elliot's first signing, from relegated Morecambe, last month. "I think there's too many clones in football. Too many people want to be the same," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport Cumbria. "It happened to me at Arsenal. I was singled out because of how I was as a person. I was still doing the same thing I was doing now, training hard and doing the extras and whatnot but because I was slightly different I got looked at in a certain way. People need to learn about how to treat people as well as footballers. "I feel like you just need to be yourself in every aspect. In football and in life it's important to be yourself." He added: "Being an individual is important in a team environment. You just have to bring your own qualities - on the pitch and off the pitch. "If you're good at dribbling, you dribble; if you're good at being a fashionista then you have to just be yourself. "I feel that if that brings you joy then ultimately it's going to bring you joy on the pitch because you're happy as a person." 'Fan base is huge' Azeez, who represented England at under-20s level and is the younger brother of Millwall wing Femi, returned to English football last season after spells in Spain and Greece. "It's not really quite the same as being in England for the exposure and just the quality of football. I learnt a lot of things being abroad but I'm happy to be back in England," he said. "This project here is really, really exciting and I feel like we've got a really good squad. The manager is top, everyone around the top is really welcoming and the fan base is huge. "Where we can be this season and hopefully in a few seasons' time is really exciting. "Playing for the titles is what it's about in football and I'm really looking forward to it. I feel like this season we'll do it, 100 per cent."