Inside the Arsenal Academy | Per Mertesacker Hale End special

Football

Year2025

Duration22m

Watch Now

7.3

Extended interview with Arsenal Academy manager Per Mertesacker on the processes behind recruiting the best talent and the rise of academy stars Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. Filmed when Per spoke to Tom Watt and addressed members of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 0:01 Arsene Wenger’s influence and joining Arsenal. 3:40 Taking up role as Academy manager and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal departure. 4:46 Why Academy manager and not part of the coaching staff? 7:35 Max Dowman and cycles of academy players. 8:05 Developing the right individuals from a young age. 10:46 Recruiting the right staff and players. 11:28 Mikel Arteta’s structures and letting players play with freedom. 12:06 Bukayo Saka. 13:12 Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. 14:04 Strong Young Gunners. 15:30 Setting out expectations from the start and initial phase of programme. 16:25 Recruitment and importance of cultural fit. 18:03 First-team exposure at an early age. 20:30 Current Arsenal team and expectations. 21:13 Future of the Arsenal Academy. @HaytersTV – Football Up Close. Visit our website: https://hayters.com/ We go behind the scenes with the biggest names in football to bring you interviews, training, news, live coverage, fans’ voices and funniest moments. If you love football, you’ll love Hayters TV. Subscribe now! Follow HaytersTV on social media - https://linktr.ee/HaytersTV #arsenal #afc #football