Eleven months ago a relatively unknown Calum Chambers left Burton’s Pirelli Stadium dejected after scoring a last-minute own goal in front of 735 people.
But a year can be a very long time in football.
On that cold spring day in May 2014 Chambers – who had been England Under-19s outstanding player throughout the three-game qualifying series – suffered a slice of bad luck that consigned the Three Lions to a 1-0 defeat against Ukraine.
Reading v Arsenal
The FA Cup Semi-Final
5.20pm, Saturday 18 April
Wembley Stadium Connected by EE
Live on BBC One
It was a result that meant the Young Lions sat out the European Championship that summer, and subsequently missed the opportunity to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup this year.
But fast-forward almost 12 months and the young defender is preparing for an FA Cup semi-final in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium.
All this having secured a multi-million pound move to Arsenal, bypassing the Under-21s to win three England senior caps, lifting a trophy at Wembley Stadium and making seven Champion League appearances.
Calum Chambers celebrates after scoring his first Premier League goal for Arsenal
“It’s been an amazing year,” he told TheFA.com.
“It has gone so quickly for me and it only feels like yesterday that I signed for the club. There really is no other word to describe it other than a whirlwind.
“Every day, every game and every moment has been an incredible experience for me and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it – and I just want keep going.”
At the age of 19 and with only 18 Premier League appearances for Southampton under his belt many, including Chambers himself, might have expected him to spend his first year at the Emirates on the peripheries.
But with 39 first-team outings – including a trophy-winning debut at Wembley in the Community Shield - to his name already, he admits his early taste of life in the Arsenal first team has taken him by surprise, but also left him hungry for more.
Calum Chambers picked up the FA Community Shield on his Arsenal debut
“It’s miles ahead of where I thought I’d be,” he said.
“My goals at the start of the season were to maybe get a few games in the Cup and possibly a few first-team league games.
“So to come to a club like Arsenal and play as many games as I have - in the league, the cups and the Champions League - in my first year is something I’m really proud of."
He continued: “I found out I was making my debut on the day of the Community Shield. It’s an unbelievable memory.
“To play my first competitive game for Arsenal at Wembley Stadium and winning the trophy was just an incredible day for me and my family.
“It is a day I look back on with a great deal of pride.”
The 20-year-old has won three England caps
So as his first season draws to close, Chambers knows there is still plenty of work to be done to ensure the Gunners continue their fine run of form and end this season as they did the last – lifting The FA Cup at Wembley.
However, before they can think of a showpiece tie against either Aston Villa or Liverpool, they have to overcome Championship side Reading in Saturday’s semi-final.
And although it was before his time, Chambers says last season’s scare against Wigan – when they needed a late Per Mertesacker equaliser to spare their blushes – has taught the squad they have to be fully prepared from the off.
“We can’t go into it thinking we can cruise it because we can’t”
Calum Chambers, Arsenal
“We can’t go into it thinking we can cruise it because we can’t,” he continued.
“They’re going to come at us. We’ve studied them and we know they’re a good side with plenty of strength.
“We’re going to go into the game and treat it like we do any other Premier League game.
“Preparation has been good all week, we’ve analysed them and looked at what their strengths and weaknesses are.
“It’s The FA Cup at Wembley so anything can happen. We know that.
“So we’ve got to go in there 100 per cent focused on our game and give it everything we have – and I’m sure we will.”
