For years, Arsenal have been known for giving youth a chance. This is easy to do when you have an academy that’s constantly producing talent. Perhaps that is the least we should expect after millions of pounds was invested in the academy in recent times. Over the years, we’ve seen a conveyor belt of talent coming out of Hale End to feed the first team. Out of all of them only Bukayo Saka has reached an elite, world class level at the club. This is not to discredit the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Joe Wilock and Reiss Nelson over the years as they’ve proven themselves at the highest level.
Currently, despite the premature departures of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin in recent months, there’s still an array of talent in the academy. The most notable talent to come out recently is the incredible duo of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. They both were offered opportunities at the start of the campaign and they both have grabbed it with open arms. They have become firm fixtures in the first team set up despite their age, earning England promotions in the process.
Speaking to the ECA (via X), Arsene Wenger expressed his delight at the club’s youth integration policy. “I find that’s part of the club’s DNA.” He said “I am happy that these values continue. I think the academy is doing a fantastic job.”
“I don’t speak about Saka because I think he’s a world-class player already, and Lewis-Skelly now coming [up] is already in the English national team. I love that.”
“I’m very happy that this integration of top level players at a young age is happening at Arsenal.”
“I love that!” 🔥
Arsène Wenger on the progress of Hale End graduates @BukayoSaka87, @Ethan_Nwaneri53 and most recently Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has now earned a call-up to the England squad.#ECAClubConnect #AFC pic.twitter.com/9lwmvN3Uak
— ECA (@ECAEurope) March 20, 2025
Arsenal have reaped the rewards of youth integration in recent years and this season has been no different thanks to the emergency of the aforementioned pair of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly. They have further impressed during the international break as they both opened their accounts for the England U21s and England respectively. The youngsters will now focus on finishing the season strongly as we approach the final stretch of the 2024/25 campaign!
BENJAMIN KENNETH
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An a amazing man with great moral values and principles in football and in general. Great visionarian, mentor, revolutionist and manager. One of the best ever to manage a football club.
Couldn’t have put it together better Solwills – we aren’t who we are today because of Herbert Chapman and Arsene Wenger.
We are who we are today!!
The greatest ever! Ronaldo de Lima got me into football, the great Arsene Wenger made me love and appreciate football as it was meant to be played.
Actually, I was drawn to Arsenal by Papilo, N. Kanu, for the way Kanu used his brain brilliantly whenever he played. Kanu is our national hero.
When I formed my REGARDS for le Prof, it is profound, I really fell in LOVE, and I always love brain and brilliant performance. He is never careful to dare to point out a direction.
Like your comments RicSAAlao, keep them coming!!
For a man of few words, you make them sound sensubke!!
SENSIBLE!! Bloody phone or is it me?! 😂😂📱
I notice you spelt Bloody right.😂😉👍
@ken1945
It’s real Ken, like England, we in Nigeria like many African, love football with passion, we keep dates with the matches. And we really have had players all through the generations from especially 1950s that are world class.
We received some overseas clubs or countries on our soil those years.
Any news on a certain billionaire from your country buying out the Kronkies RicSAAlao?
Seems he was very keen a few years ago, but it’s all gone quite!
Ken
Truly Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is busy now with smoothening out his newly completed petroleum refinery. Let forget about that buying club for now.
Its always nice to see academy players get there chance. There’s nothing a fan likes more than seeing home grown talent, in amongst the more experienced players.
Lets hope there’s a few more in the pipeline. 😉👍
Max Dowman is the one to watch Derek. I know playing against other youngsters doesn’t make someone a great player, but he scored a terrific goal for the England U17’s last night.
Herr Drier,
Yes I’ve seen him to. The other day the academy side were knocked out of the FA Youth cup against Manchester United.
But Max Dowman led them a merry dance on the night, and was unfortunate to finish on the losing side.
I think Arsenal need to move quick and get him signed up when his age allows. We don’t want anymore players going to United or anywhere else for that matter do we. 😉👍
Going to have to wait till New Years Eve 2026 for him to sign his first Professional Contract Derek, when he turns 17.
I think we should keep him in a locked room until then, Herr Drier. 😂😉👍
I love seeing academy talent getting promoted, and love to see a manager further developing that talent through the philosophy and style of the club.
Not every academy graduate will make the first team, but a promising talent not even getting a chance should raise questions. Sub appearances, Carabo Cup games, etc… should allow for them to get a chance.
Wenger and his style was what I noticed about Arsenal, and watching them play the game as it is meant to be played (In my opinion) is what made me an Arsenal fan.
The creativity, poetry in motion, and the direct play and slick one touch passing enthralled me from the beginning.
I appreciate how Arteta has improved our competitiveness, built a talented squad, and brought us back to the top 4 and challenge for trophies.
My hope is that as he continues to gain experience and evolve and adapt, he will find a way to return to the direct play and slick passing that was our hallmark previously.
We saw that briefly in 22-23 I believe, and we were the envy of European players who often commented on our play, style, and results.
Durand,
Avery well written piece if I may say so. 👍
👍👍👍
Whilst I acknowledge MA will get the credit for promoting them to the first time i would also like to extend a big well done to the team behind him.
Our BFG, Wiltshire, Freddie for his past input and co.
Whilst at times we don’t lalsway appreciate seeing 👀 the way we play in the first team at times. There is an identity through out the club which we lost for a while.
It also hursts me to see other clubs like manure cherry pick some of our potentially best academy players leave but unfortunately you can’t keep them all happy at the same time
As for our very own AW. A missed opportunity when we didn’t move him upstairs and gleam his knowledge and heart for the club
Onwards and upwards
Alanball08
I thought the same about Wenger moving upstairs, but I’m not surprised how things turned out.
It’s hard to step away from a team and philosophy that you spend 22 years building, to take a place on the sidelines as an advisor.
The control and direction of the 1st team is now up to another manager, that would be difficult to take a step back and realize that.
I was among those who felt Wenger’s time had passed. The warning signs were there, and I had hoped he would choose to leave after winning the FA Cup.
Unfortunately he did not, results did not improve, impatience was on the rise, and things began turning toxic.
The bond formed over 22 years was only as good as results, and being a shield for KSE comes with a price; target for the axeman.
If Arteta doesn’t deliver trophies, I think a similar fate awaits him as well. Fair or not, if you are not in it to win it, do something else.
Hi Mr D
Totally agree
Times had moved on and at times we were still stuck in the past but for a wealth of his knowledge, his passion his contacts the love of the club, imo we were the ones who missed out.
Maybe with him upstairs UE might have worked out, with him upstairs MA would have had better guidance and knowledge to draw on.
My view is that Gazidis and Kronkie didn’t want him at the club, so he resigned.
It’s taken a lot of time and effort to get Arsene back at the Emirates and, with Gazidis acting like the rat he was when he left the club, MA has worked behind the scenes to get AW back.
As you say, the vast knowledge that Le Prof has would serve Mikel well, let alone the club itself.
It’s an interesting idea Allanball08 and on paper looks to be the best of both worlds; using AW’s love of the club and his intellect at executive level, away from coaching. Would Emery as an experienced manager have relished having him in the background? It would have assisted Arteta who was learning the managerial ropes but it’s a bit like Fergie sitting in the directors’ box each week