Dagenham and Redbridge skipper Abu Ogogo did not expect to be fighting for Football League survival when he left Arsenal.
The midfielder was nurtured in the Arsenal Academy when Cesc Fabregas was captain at the Emirates and he departed in 2009 with high standards.
It is no surprise then, when Ogogo, 23, says the Daggers, who face fellow strugglers York tomorrow, are planning to beat the drop and push for promotion next season.
“When I was at Arsenal I knew it would be difficult for me to get into the first team,” said Ogogo.
“I didn’t know where my next move would be but since I came to Dagenham, we haven’t been in a situation as deep and troubled as we are now. This is the first time I’ve experienced it, I never really thought we’d be here.
“We’ve been in the Football League for a couple of years now. We’ve finished in seventh and been promoted so we know what it’s like to play higher. The players don’t want to go down to the Conference, they want to push on and hopefully get promoted next season.”
Ogogo began his career in the Wimbledon youth team before joining Arsenal, who briefly loaned the youngster out to Barnet.
Dagenham’s survival could come at the expense of either Barnet or Wimbledon but Ogogo has no concerns about sending one of his old clubs down.
“It’s funny how it’s all worked out,” said Ogogo. “Hopefully Dagenham will be the team that stay up, I don’t really care about the other two.”
