Ex-Arsenal ace Robbie Burton describes horrific experience of coping with biggest earthquake to hit Croatia for decades
ROBBIE BURTON lived through the biggest earthquake to hit Croatia since 1880. The ex-Arsenal midfielder had been at new club Dinamo Zagreb for just over a month when the quake happened on March 22, in which one person was killed and 27 others injured. Its epicentre was seven kilometres north of the Croatian capital but […]
ROBBIE BURTON lived through the biggest earthquake to hit Croatia since 1880.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder had been at new club Dinamo Zagreb for just over a month when the quake happened on March 22, in which one person was killed and 27 others injured.
Its epicentre was seven kilometres north of the Croatian capital but the 5.3 magnitude tremor caused almost £5billion worth of damage to historical buildings, including the parliament.
Burton’s own apartment was affected as the earthquake shook his bed, rattled his wardrobes, the walls cracked and his boiler exploded!
Burton, 20, said: “It was crazy and probably the most scary experience of my life.
“It was weird being here on my own and I didn’t know what to do. I’d never been in an earthquake before so I didn’t know how to deal with it.
It was the biggest one since 1880. I was woken up by it and heard all my wardrobes rattling and my bed was shaking.
Robbie Burton
“I phoned my mum and dad straight away at six o’clock in the morning. I felt bad for them because they were on the other end of the phone and there was nothing they could do.
“It was the biggest one since 1880. I was woken up by it and heard all my wardrobes rattling and my bed was shaking.
“My apartment was damaged. A couple of the walls cracked, the boiler exploded and it leaked everywhere. I had to get that fixed. It was eventful.
“The city is quite old and a lot of buildings had a lot of damage. Hopefully everything is okay now and starting to settle down.”
Former Gunners academy star Burton, who had been at Arsenal from the age of six until February, managed to fly back to the UK to see his family before lockdown for Covid-19 was enforced.
The Welshman added: “It was a crazy time. It was a bit of a mad rush to get back. Hopefully life will get easier. The experience this year will help me and show my independence.
“You can’t rely on people in football. If I can do things on my own, both on and off the pitch then it will aid me as a person.”
Now Burton is back in Croatia adapting to life on the continent and aiming to build his own career.
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Burton’s childhood heroes were ex-Arsenal stars Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere and he captained the Under-23s under both Freddie Ljungberg and Steve Bould before his mid-season departure.
Burton said: “I went on the pre-season tour of America under Unai Emery last summer and it was a dream for me to be part of the first team. I wasn’t star-struck, training with the first team was a good experience and I felt good in that environment.
“From then I wanted to kick on in my career, I was on the bench for the League Cup game against Nottingham Forest but the opportunities didn’t come my way.
“It’s something that will stay with me that I didn’t play for Arsenal in a competitive game. But you can’t always get what you want – no matter how much I wanted it.
“My Arsenal contract had been extended for another year just before Christmas but there was interest from Dinamo and I had a meeting with the club and the outcome was that if I wanted to go, I could go.
“I spoke with Freddie and Steve Bould, who was my coach. They thought it would be a good move if I wanted to go and get first-team opportunities.
“Getting game time was crucial and a big factor in me leaving Arsenal and moving to Dinamo was the best decision for me.
“Dinamo is a good club with history where they give chances to young players and put them on the map. It’s the biggest team in Croatia, a big fanbase and they play in the Champions League. It all made sense to make the move. I had other options but this seemed the best fit for me.
“As long as I come here, work hard and I’ll be okay. Hopefully that is what happens.”
NO REGRETS
Mikel Arteta has given youth a chance with Bukayo Saka, 18, Joe Willock, 20, Reiss Nelson, 20, and Eddie Ntekiah 21, all in Arsenal’s squad for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
But Burton, born in Gravesend but qualifying for Wales through his grandfather, added: “I don’t have any regrets. I am still confident in the move and what I am doing at Dinamo.
“British players have broken down the barriers and it’s becoming more common to move abroad.
“Previously, players would have been scared about making such a move whereas now it is the sensible and good move for British players to get game time and to get your name out there.
“Jadon Sancho was one of the earliest players to do it and when I was at Arsenal, Emile [Smith-Rowe] went on loan to RB Leipzig in Germany, Reiss went to Hoffenheim.
“With Wales, I won the Victory Shield alongside Tyler Roberts, Ben Woodburn, Ethan Ampadu, all good players who are doing well at first-team level now.
“They have all inspired me to show it’s possible. It’s why I want to play first-team football.
“The main reason I have come to Croatia is purely football based. Most young footballers just want to play and have a career in football.
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“It was emotional to leave Arsenal but it happened so quickly I didn’t really get to say my goodbyes properly.
“Hopefully in the near future I can come back and say my proper goodbyes to everybody. Arsenal has always been my team and always will be.
“Now my ambition is to get a spot in Dinamo’s midfield when the new season starts, play as much football as possible and hopefully make a big impact at the club.”