SALISBURY’S Freddie Smith mingled with Arsenal’s star-studded squad after being chosen to be the club’s mascot for their FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough.

On the 12-year-old Gunners’ fan visit, he met the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla before watching his team win 2-0 in the fifth round of the cup. Olivier Giroud’s quick-fire double proved enough to secure Arsenal’s place in the quarter final.

Jubilant Freddie is a member of the junior gunners and was picked from more than 30,000 youngsters to lead the team out at the Emirates Stadium in front 59,000 fans on Sunday.

“It was amazing to be chosen to be the mascot, one of the best days of my life,” he said. Meeting the players in the changing rooms, then walking them out onto the pitch, and having my picture taken with my favourite player, Alexis Sanchez, as well as Santi Cazorla and all the others.

And winning the game capped it off for me!”

Father Mark says it was a day Freddie will cherish.

“Freddie is still buzzing from an absolutely brilliant day yesterday,” he said.

“Cazorla was really good with him and made him feel like a superstar. The whole day was so wonderfully organised and everyone made him feel so very welcome.”