DAVID Gray is officially a Pilgrim after making his Argyle debut in the FA Cup defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.

It was certainly a baptism of fire for the 20-year-old full-back, whose only previous experience of first-team football was one appearance in the Carling Cup for Manchester United and one league game during a brief loan spell with Crewe.

Gray certainly enjoyed the game at the Emirates and the challenge of facing Arsenal's glittering array of stars. His direct opponent for much of the game was French international Samir Nasri and Gray relished the privilege of playing in a competitive game against such a quality player.

"When I played for Crewe the weather was like a hurricane. It was a miserable night and a miserable game," he said.

"It was right in the deep end but I don't think I could ask for a better start in front of 60,000 people in probably one of the nicest stadiums around, so it was a great game to go in to.

"You have to go out and enjoy the experience, and take what you can. It is definitely the highlight of my career so far.

"It was by far [the biggest game of my career]. The biggest crowd before that was probably around 30,000, when I was in a tournament over in Dallas.

"This was the FA Cup, so it was completely different, as is the League because points matter - it is proper football. Before that, I was used to reserve team football, where it is more about performance than result.

"You can see the whole Arsenal team is one of the best passing teams in England, if not the world. Nasri is obviously a special talent and they are all really quick players.

"It is a privilege to play against players like that and it is good to see where we are as a team as well."

Gray, like all his new team-mates, performed heroically at the Emirates, and Argyle were still well in the game before Robin van Persie's second of the afternoon made it 3-1 to Arsenal in the last ten minutes.

Gray was disappointed with the goals Argyle conceded on the day in an otherwise impressive performance.

"I was disappointed with the goals that we lost," he said.

"It was good to still be in the game and it was a good performance from the boys, but I am a little disappointed."

The presence of another defender on loan from Manchester United has obviously helped Gray to settle quickly at Home Park.

Craig Cathcart has been excellent since joining the Pilgrims in the summer and Gray was naturally pleased to see a familiar face.

The new man is now looking forward to helping the Greens regain the form of October and November and make a concerted push for the play-offs, starting with the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"The lads were all very welcoming," he said. "The first day I was in was New Year's Day and they were all really helpful in getting me settled.

"It also helps going straight into a match because you get the chance to meet the players and play with them, which breaks the ice.

"I played with Craig for nearly a whole season in the reserves and it is always handy to have somebody beside you, who you've played with before.

"He [Cathcart] said it was a real family club. Everybody makes you feel welcome and they are a good bunch of lads, and the football side of it is great.

"I am looking forward to it because it is all about games and getting experience with the age I am at.

"Playing in the reserves at Manchester United was obviously good but I am at the level now where I need to progress, and the only way I can progress is by playing first-team football.

"It was [initially] supposed to go through as the transfer window was closing in November but I had just had a hernia operation, so we slowed it down.

"I found out the day before New Year's Eve and drove down. The Gaffer [Ferguson] phoned me to say 'how do you fancy going to Plymouth?' It was then a mad rush to try and get everything organized.

"We were playing against one of the best teams in Europe and we were in the game for 80 minutes.

"If you look at the Championship table, it is very tight. There are only nine points between the play-offs and relegation, so I'm sure, if we can put a few games together, we will be right up the table.

"I want to gain as much experience as I can, play as much as I can and, hopefully, help Plymouth push forward.

"The first game was so quick but to play at home against a team like Palace is really good."

The youngster has been touted as a versatile player but he insisted that right-back was his favourite, and he has taken advice on the position from one of the greatest full-backs in the history of English football.

Gray said: "Gary Neville has been really helpful. He is the club captain and he has helped me a lot because he is very approachable.

"I started off as a winger and then got pushed back to right-back. I have played a few games at centre-back recently because we were struggling for players in the reserves, but I would definitely say I am a full-back."