It will be a few more weeks before the ‘new man’ arrives at the Arsenal Academy, but I am already looking forward to Andries Jonker getting his feet under the table, as the club continue to freshen things up behind the scenes.

Whatever the reasons, it seems that things are-a-changing, not only in the Medical Department, Fitness Department, the Scouting, but especially in the Academy…

Despite some encouraging results in the cups last season, both the U21’s and U18’s had wretched campaigns in their respective leagues amid worrying rumours of unrest behind the scenes.

Liam Brady, who had worked tirelessly for the Academy, despite a few health issues, has retired from his position at the club and will take on an ambassadorial role.

Both Pat Holland and Terry Burton have moved on and now we have the recent news of the departure of Roy Massey.
Massey was the Assistant Academy Director and ran the Hale End complex. I don’t know the circumstances surrounding him leaving, he may have simply come to the end of his contract and was looking to do something different?

Whatever the reasons, Twitter is full of rumours, and there does seem to be changes afoot, a new broom perhaps?

Andries Jonker has an impressive CV, having worked for 7 years as a Technical Director in charge of youth at the Dutch FA. He has also managed both the Dutch U15’s and Dutch U21’s…

In club football he has worked alongside Louis Van Gaal at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich but he will be leaving his job at Wolfsburg to become the Head of Youth Development at Arsenal in July…

The recent arrival of young left-back Elias Hatzitheodoridis, from Arsenal’s Elite Academy in Greece, shows the benefits of that investment by the club and comes hard on the heels of an earlier Greek signing, midfielder Mougos Savvas…

According to Jeorge Birds excellent youth blog, these are the intake into the U18 squad for next season…

Marc Bola, c/b l/b
Aaron Jordan, r/b r/w
Chiori Johnson, r/b
Stephy Mavididi, striker
Tyrell Robinson, w/f
Chris Willock, mid
Harry Donavon, mid
Kaylen Hinds, striker
Jonatas Centero, r/b r/w
Kristopher Da Graca, c/b
George Dobson, c/b def/mid…

At least things are getting sorted out in the Academy, hopefully Arsene Wenger will soon start to sort out the first team….

Written by Allezkev.

Transfer Gossip:

All I can find is from The Sun, they believe that Arsenal will activate the buy-back clause for Carlos Vela.