As far as turning young talents into first-team sensations, Arsenal are flexing their muscles like a gym bro who took Protein Shakes. At an age when his player was fast becoming a byword for tantrums, finesse and flair, Wenger was all in with the club’s academy pathway.
Bukayo Saka — so consistent he probably irons his socks — and the likes of Myles Lewis Skelly, not with a sniff of football on them, speak to Arsenal’s Hale End academy being a goldmine of talent. And guess what? More was to follow.
Last month, legendary former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had his say on Arsenal’s youth development. Wenger couldn’t contain his excitement in speaking to the European Club Association. The only thing he added was that these are the values he is happy about, singing the praises of a ‘world class’ player in Saka before Zan Lewis-Skelly had made such amazing progression through the English national team.
Arsenal’s DNA according to Wenger: Built on Youth Development
Quite simply, Arsenal’s DNA would be 1 part technical brilliance, 1 part youth exuberance, with a dash of drama sprinkled in. It’s not hard to see why Wenger places such emphasis on youth development – that is really part of the club’s identity.
There isn’t just future legends about coming from Arsenal’s academy, it’s about Lewis Skelly and Saka dazzling on the wings. As Wenger puts it, he’s ‘very happy’ the club continues to integrate young players into the ‘senior side’.
And why wouldn’t he be? After all, the man transformed a young Cesc Fàbregas into a midfield maestro and pharmacy students like Jack Wilshere into world beaters.
Max Dowman: The Next Big Thing?
Arsenal, they think, had discovered all their youthful talent, but they were wrong. For one, according to Rio Ferdinand, yes the one who was once able to secure Premier League attackers like a bouncer on a power trip—there’s another gem on the horizon: Max Dowman.
“Hale End, Arsenal, they’re churning out some kids now,” virtually giving a scout report for playing pleasure. Specifically, he was begging fans to look out for Dowman, stating that the young talent is ‘worth the wait’.
No pressure, Max. If you match the hype, of course, Arsenal fans had better get ready for a treat.
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