Youth policy by the Grimster
Former Arsenal midfielder and fan favourite Gilles Grimandi, now working as the club's chief scout in France, has revealed how the Gunners look for new talent.
The Grimster, as he is so affectionately known by, says that unlike most clubs, Arsenal choose only to observe a select few youngsters, and monitor their progress over a few years.
If the youths show enough promise, and I presume manager Arsène Wenger must have the final say, he or she is brought to London to sign for the club.
Grimandi said: "Unlike other clubs, we prefer to limit and really follow only a few players.
"We start to oversee them when they are 16 or 17-years-old and then until 20 if needed.
"We follow them for three of four years and maybe they will sign one day."
Grimandi also defended the club's youth policy, so often coming under heavy criticism for such 'failures' like David Bentley, Jeremie Aliádíère and Steven Sidwell.
Echoing the words of manager Arsène Wenger, Grimandi says that these players take invaluable experience and development with them when they are sold by the club.
He said: "When I hear Aliádíère is not a success, I want to say 'if all the young players have the opportunity to enjoy the same career as him, they would sign immediately'.
"He is only 24-years-old. He plays in the Premier League and scores."
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LoveWenger
Posted on 10 Mar, 2008 at 01:25 PM - Reply
We need a bit more cover in key areas, but I think our beloved Leader has proved time and again that quality and quantity doesn't necessarily have to cost the earth. Take note Mourinho, Ferguson, Benitez, Ramos.......
greg healy ireland
Posted on 9 Mar, 2008 at 06:15 PM - Reply
it,s great to see arsenal not spending vasts amounts of money but as de title seems 2 b slipping it would,nt be a bad thing 2 spend a few quid
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