How is Arsenal’s academy relaying the foundations for the future?

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Arsene Wenger is famed for his promotion of young talent. In his initial few years Arsenal manager, he often found unknown youth prospects and turned them into stars, such as Thierry Henry, Nicholas Anelka, Patrick Viera, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie.

Excluding Fabregas, none of these players had come through Arsenal’s academy and Fabregas himself was bought from Barcelona. In fact, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs (bought from Wimbledon) and Hector Bellerin have been the only true youngster to progress through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, which has now lead to a large scale restructuring.

Arsenal’s once famed youth academy has been overtaken by Chelsea, Manchester United and now Manchester City. Chelsea has seen great success in winning youth titles, as proven by them winning the UEFA Youth League, but also the FA Youth Cup last season.

Manchester United won the under-21 league last year and their cross town rivals have invested heavily in a brand new youth complex and training ground. It seems while Arsenal’s rivals have been improving their youth setups, Arsenal have let it slip, until now at least.

In terms of infrastructure, the Gunners re-vamped their coaching staff by bringing in Dutchman; Andries Jonker, Frans De Kat and Jan Van Loon. Jonker, who replaced Liam Brady as head of the academy has also played a part in the new multi-million pound project to re-vamp their once fabled Hale End academy.

More recently, the club have announced the return of club legend Liam Brady in an ambassadorial role – with special focus on youth development. Arsenal have also  while also requiring highly-rated Leicester City scout, Ben Wrigglesworth.

Regarding recruitment, the club promoted 11 players to become first year scholars at the club, with some also being a part of the seven recruits from outside the academy. This new batch of recruits represents the second wave of Arsenal’s youth policy, the first being; Krystian Bielik, Daniel Crowley, Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Gedion Zelalem and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Both Iwobi and Zelalem have been the standout players of this group. Iwobi has been the one of the best players for the under-21’s this year and has now been promoted to the first team squad, while Zelalem been praised while on loan at Rangers. Although Bielik is still learning his role in the U21s, all these players are ready to make a contribution to the first team in the near future.

When looking at newer academy prospects there have been many standouts such Stephy Mavididi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Reiss Nelson, Donyell Malen, Chris Willock and Kaylen Hinds. This is where Arsenal’s youth policy has changed.

Arsenal are not only looking to produce players with the intention of  playing for the first team in the future, but they are now looking to compete in the youth domestic leagues also.

Firstly, having successful youth teams usually correlates to a wide spread of talent, but also breeds a mentality of winning. Secondly, if you can have a broad base of talented youngsters coming through, it is more economically viable to bring them into the first team.

Starting from next year, player fees and wages will become more expensive due to the new TV deal. Bringing in a crop of youth players is therefore, more viable and possibly cheaper in the long term.

This year the Gunners have improved in the Youth Leagues; the under-21’s sit second in Division two with three games in hand on first place while under-18’s sit sixth in the South division. Arsenal have also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth cup, but were also knocked out of the UEFA Youth Cup b Anderlecht- although they started very well.

Although these are only minor improvements, we all know ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’.

Although a lot can change, Arsenal seem to be creating a heavy crop of young talent. They have recruited well from abroad while also promoting youngster from within and have now offered all but one – Ilias Chatzitheodoridis – of their second year pros, professional contracts.

The under-21 team has improved while the under-18s need some work, but will be stronger next season. Next year, Arsenal could also have Zelalem and Akpom join Iwobi in the first team squad which is a testament to the youth setup.

Arsenal have gone on the front foot in youth development the structure is being altered and there are more players competing within. Whether or not Wenger will be around to reap the rewards, it seems Arsenal might soon have the young stars every club craves for.

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