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."
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What comes across throughout the documentary series is the now unified approach that the Arsenal academy has to youth development. One of the first images shown is the four pillars on which Mertesacker's revolution has been built on since he took charge in 2018. These are lifelong learner, most efficient mover, champion mentality and effective team player. From speaking to sources around the academy and the talent ID team, these are mantras that come up time and again, and in this documentary series it is no different.
Last season's under-16s coach Adam Birchall is one of the many people putting these pillars into effect on the ground, and it is clear from the way he approaches his coaching throughout the first few episodes that working with the players to try and fulfil their potential is something that motivates him.
"The thing that I'm most proud of is that this captures a moment in time," says Birchall who has since been appointed as Jack Wilshere's assistant at under-18 level. "Last season was a brilliant season, and it always is with the kids. It's a privilege to go along their journey with them and it's nice that that's captured. When you do this for as long as I have you have to enjoy the relationships that you make with the players or it's not worth doing and I'm glad to have captured that."
The series does not shy away from the harsher realities of life for players at this age either. As players reach under-16 level a decision is made on whether they will be offered a scholarship to stay on with Arsenal, or whether their footballing journey will continue elsewhere. While there is the powerful elation of the decision to offer young goalkeeper Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko a scholarship, other players are forced to face up to the fact that their dream of following in the footsteps of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe into the Gunners first is, at least for now, over.
The first episode will be release on the club's YouTube channel on July 11, with five more instalments to follow on a weekly basis. They will cover topics such as the 21/22 cup run, how scouts identify talent for the academy and much more. Despite having had question marks over making the series at first, Arsenal will no doubt be delighted with the advertisement this offers for one of the most famous parts of the club.
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