04 Jun 2025 11:27:51
Hi Ed,

Know your a busy man but if possible could you give some insight into arsenal's academy over the last few years. Seem to be brining through real quality for the first time in a while as it used to seem like quantity over quality before.

Thanks.

{Ed014's Note - hi Belly, well the BFG has been running it for a while, so maybe his input is making that difference.

It’s always a bit of a lottery though as the boys often start as young as 6 and 7 yrs old, there can be no real idea then if they’ll make it.

Saka has been our first real star from the academy for sometime, with plenty falling by the wayside, ESR, Nelson, Nketiah and Iwobi being recent examples.

With Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly we have two gems though and Max Downman looking next into their footsteps.

I’ve no idea how Heaven and Obi-Martin will fair at United, Heaven has looked pretty solid but Obi-Martin, a little lost.

Were they or will the be players we shouldn’t have let go, I don’t know.

Lots don’t make it and Arteta doesn’t appear sold on either of our two academy strikers.

But the three I mentioned, if they can continue to improve will be a great example for our academy to show youngsters joining the club that progression to the first team can definitely be made.

We seem to look after the youngster a lot better to and that is a plus for Arteta.

1.) 04 Jun 2025
04 Jun 2025 15:45:47
Much appreciated ed.