In a global first, Arsenal have opened up their famed Hale End academy to deliver a fascinating insight into the process that goes into making the club's outstanding youth prospects. 'Inside Hale End' focuses on the Gunners' under-15s and under-16s as they go through the ups and downs of the academy system.
While he is happy with the final product, academy director Per Mertesacker admits that he had his reservations about allowing the cameras in to his operation at Hale End. "At the start I wasn't sure about it because I'm not a huge fan of highlighting individuals, and we made a few points clear of what we didn't want to happen and what we didn't want this series to be," he said at the documentary's premier in Islington.
"We're pretty confident now that it's real and tangible in the final outcome and I was extremely confident in the two Adams (Birchall - last season's under 16s coach - and Pilling - the club's under-15s coach) to deliver something that would be very special and hopefully memorable for these guys and their parents. I'm pretty happy with the outcome and the other episodes are pretty special too."
