Arsenal dropped a big press dump on the new roles of people at the club… the message was clear, it’s all about the kids.

Freddie:

“I’m really excited by this opportunity to continue helping develop & work with some of the great young players we have coming through in the first-team environment & to work alongside Unai & his coaching team to help Arsenal win trophies”

Bouldy:

“I have always had a deep commitment to developing young players & am delighted to be back working in an area which is so important to the future of our club. We have great young players & my job will be to help them maximise their potential”

The article talks about transitions teams being developed… groups of people that move players from youth to the first team. This is Raul giving his take on it:

“Identifying, recruiting and developing young players is a key part of our strategy. We have some great talent coming through our younger age groups and, like all top clubs, the challenge is to help them make the most of their abilities.

“The hardest part is always the transition from academy football to senior football. We already have good programmes in place but these staff changes will ensure our plans are even more robust and clear for every single player. I’m confident it will make a significant difference to our ability to bring players through to the first team.”

It’s a bit jargony to me, but fuck it, I love the focus and the way they are communicating this vision to the fans. This all feels like Arsenal are trying to move from bullshit statements on regulatory miscalculations and pleasantries about class, to something a little more action oriented… i.e. don’t tell me we’re going to be a hub of youth, show me what you’re going an explain it.

I also like that we’re giving Sal Bibbo and Ben Knapper more freedom to express their ideas. Wenger had a lot of good people at the club, but it was his way or the highway. Autocratic leaders are horrible to work with, if there’s only one way and you can’t affect that without getting the chop, you get fat, lazy and you stop innovating. I think it’s smart of Raul to give opps to internal talent, and it’s super refreshing Emery isn’t being allowed to stock the club with more of his pals.

There’s a story running in one of the rags that states Emery will have the final say on Saliba because he doesn’t want to lose his summer budget on an 18-year-old. If all the above is real, I very much doubt Emery is going to rock the signing of an elite kid. I also doubt that Arsenal isn’t thinking about stocking the first team. Just feels like a story that’s been made up based on average sleuthing.

Anyway, the vision appears to have been doubled down with stories about Brazilian wonderkid, Martinelli, hitting the newsnow streams hard than Abou Diaby kicks John Terry in this face way back when. The 18-year-old is very quick, pretty tall at 5,11, and very youtube friendly.

Football London did a deep dive and asked some experts who the fuck this chap is:

“Stylistically, Martinelli can be compared to Richarlison, who represents a shift in what is expected of Brazilian attackers.

“He is very athletic, hard working and seems to have an instinct for pressing defenders whose abilities are occasionally left wanting.

“Playing for a fourth division side in the Campeonato Paulista (state championships) would normally see his influence limited against bigger sides, but he rose to the challenge, scoring six goals and assisting three.”

There’s some great stats in the article, you should read. NOT NOW. After.

Anyway, one for the future. Last time I got excited about a Brazilian he was booted out of his 9th loan deal for being a Domino’s fiend, so keep that excitement tucked into your belt.

Still, it is exciting to think that we’re buying expensive kids again… all you need to do is land 1 jackpot in 5 attempts and you’re doing VERY well.

Right, that’s me done… I’m back on morning times now and flying out to LA today for 2 days for work… bit rough, but still better than your Pret ham sandwich on the tube, so pipe down.

SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS. x