JEFFERSON Louis will be gunning for his boyhood heroes tomorrow as Oxford United look to knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup.

The former Thame United striker, who has an Arsenal tattoo on his leg, takes on the double winners at Highbury almost a year to the day since he came out of prison.

Louis was jailed for motoring offences and he hasn't looked back since coming out.

He said: "Looking back it was the worst time of my life, but it was also the making of me.

"I had a lot of time to think and I decided I was going to make something of myself.

"I wouldn't have made it as a footballer without prison. It made me stronger.

"The time I spent inside made me mentally strong. I was never going to go the wrong way when I was inside, I was always going to use it to improve myself.

"I'm glad things have happened the way they did. I sat there thinking when I come I am going to do something constructive."

And he did.

He started banging the goals in for Thame and earned himself a trial with Nationwide League Oxford.

He burst into their first team and earned himself a place in Oxford folklore by scoring the goal against arch-rivals Swindon to set up the Arsenal clash.

And it is a dream come true for Louis.

He said: "I'm a big Arsenal fan and walking out at Highbury will feel like I've won the cup.

"I'm on top of the world now, but I don't just want to play at a Premiership ground once. I want to be a Premiership player. I want the big house and the fast car."

But the 23-year-old knows he has got lots more work to do before he can start thinking about that.

He said: "I can't believe what's happening to me. I just want to keep on learning and keep getting better.

"I've been at the bottom in my life but I haven't reached the top yet.

"I don't want to go down as one of those who could have done better I want to know I have given it my best and I will do.

"I want it more than anything. I have always dreamed about it and now I've been given a real chance I intend to take it and keep going up the ladder.

"I can't believe the chance I've got. I've always loved football but now I'm doing it in front of thousands. My first goal in front of a crowd gave me a really special feeling. I can't describe it but I never want that feeling to go away.

"When you've had it, you want more of it."

Now Louis wants to experience what it is like to score at Highbury.

"If I do my best I can score against Arsenal, I know I can."

But Louis will never forget Thame boss Andy Sinnott no matter what he achieves.

He said: "I wouldn't be where I am today without Andy. It is all down to him. He visited me when I was in prison and at my lowest and I will never forget that."

And Louis will give Sinnott a call before the biggest match of his life against the Gunners.

And Louis goes into the clash with another mission, he wants to get his hero Henry's shirt at the end of the game.