Arsenal Academy

Arsenal FC runs a category 1 academy based in North London. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.

Hale End acts as the entry-level grounds for players to refine their abilities and adopt a holistic approach to progress, catering for players from the Under-9s to the Under-16s.

Upon securing a sought-after scholarship, players move to London Colney — Arsenal’s primary training facility and a crucial stage on the path to becoming a professional footballer — at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, where Under-18 games are mainly held.

Most of the Under-21s’ matches take place at Meadow Park, the home stadium of Borehamwood FC, which also hosts Arsenal Women.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @ArsenalAcademy.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category One clubs:

• U18 Premier League – split into North and South divisions; Arsenal’s Under-18s play in the South League.
• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017; seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• U19 UEFA Youth League – the leading club competition for academy-age footballers worldwide, mirroring the format of the UEFA Champions League group stage. When eligible, Arsenal’s Under-19s compete in the tournament.
• Premier League 2 – since 2023, all Category One academies play in a single Swiss-style league (29 clubs in 2025/26), with entry and removal governed by Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
• Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) – a midweek knockout competition for EFL League One and League Two clubs, plus 16 invited Premier League and Championship clubs with Category One academies, regionalised from the group stage through to the quarter-finals.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Per Mertesacker, Under-21 Head Coach Max Porter, and Under-18 Head Coach Adam Birchall.

It has already been a proud campaign, with Arsenal’s youngsters crowned Premier League Under-16 National Tournament winners.

Scholars 2025/26

Jack Talbot (Goalkeeper), Remi Lupinski (Goalkeeper), Marli Salmon (Defender), Patrick Stachow (Defender), Joshua Tahou (Defender), Abraham Owusu-Gyasi (Defender), Josiah King (Defender)

Callan Hamill (Defender), Teshaun Murisa (Midfielder), Maalik Hashi (Midfielder), Saurap Sampang (Midfielder), Bowen Phillips (Midfielder), Brando Bailey-Joseph, Marley Frohock (Forward).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Ismeal Kabia (Forward) – Shrewsbury Town
• Lucas Nygaard (Goalkeeper) – Brabrand IF
• Maldini Kacurri (Defender) – Morecambe
• Daniel Oyetunde (Forward) – St Albans
• Cam’ron Ismail (Defender) – Uxbridge FC
• Harrison Dudziak (Midfielder) – Braintree Town
• Louie Copley (Midfielder) – Crawley Town
• Ethan Nwaneri (Midfielder) – Marseille
• Charles Sagoe Jr (Forward) – Kalmar FF

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Andre Harriman-Annous (Forward, #71), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Defender, #49), Ethan Nwaneri (Midfielder, #22), Max Dowman (Forward, #56), Josh Nichols (Defender, #48), Marli Salmon (Defender, #89)

Louie Copley (Midfielder, #38), Tommy Setford (Goalkeeper, #35), Brando Bailey-Joseph (Forward, #81), Ife Ibrahim (Midfielder, #72), Ceadach O’Neill (Forward, #76).

International Players 2025/26

• Charles Phillips (GK) – England U16
• Mishel Nduka (MF) – England U16
• Emerson Nwaneri (MF) – England U16
• Josiah King (DF) – England U17
• Patrick Stachow (DF) – Poland U17
• Victor Ozhianvuna (MF) – Ireland U17
• Alex Marciniak (MF) – Wales U18
• Ife Ibrahim (MF) – England U18
• Brayden Clarke (DF) – Wales U19
• Jack Porter (GK) – England U17; U18; U19
• Max Dowman (FW) – England U19
• Khari Ranson (GK) – England U19
• Callan Hamil (DF) – Scotland U19
• Demiane Agustien (MF) – Netherlands U19
• Tommy Setford (GK) – England U20
• Alexei Rojas (GK) – Colombia U20
• Ethan Nwaneri (FW) – England U21
• Ceadach O’Neill (FW) – Northern Ireland U21
• Maldini Kacurri (DF) – Albania First Team

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Arsenal’s Under-17s were drawn in Group A against Under-17 sides from Crystal Palace, Fulham and Watford.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group A against Norwich City, Peterborough United and Stoke City.

Also in the U19 UEFA Youth League, Arsenal’s Under-19s were grouped with Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Atlético Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge.

Finally in the Vertu Trophy, the Under-21s were drawn in Southern Group A against Cardiff City, Exeter City and Newport County.

Season Timeline

June 2025

• Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly pledged his long-term future to the club, having first joined the Hale End Academy at just eight years old.

July 2025

• Nathan Butler-Oyedeji signed for Lausanne-Sport following his departure from Arsenal.
• Marcell Washington signed his first professional deal, completing a move to Arsenal from Chelsea after impressing during eight trial appearances for the Under-21s the previous season; Washington, a highly rated prospect, is the son of former Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand.
• Striker Daniel Oyetunde signed his first professional deal with Arsenal, and full-back Cam’ron Ismail also signed his first professional contract, having joined the club’s academy from grassroots football at the age of 14.
• Arsenal academy graduate Remy Mitchell seemingly rejoined the club, having taken part in the academy photocall that week.
• Louis Zecevic-John signed his first professional contract with Arsenal, while Khari Ranson — who began as a midfielder before switching to goalkeeper — also signed his first professional contract.
• Demiane Agustien signed a professional contract with Arsenal; the talented Dutch midfielder had spent the previous two seasons at Derby County.
• MK Dons Academy goalkeeper Remi Lupinski officially joined Arsenal’s youth ranks; the 16-year-old shot-stopper signed a two-year scholarship with the Gunners.

August 2025

• Young goalkeeper Jack Porter signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

September 2025

• Arsenal completed the signing of Under-16 attacking midfielder Mishel Nduka, who previously played for Charlton Athletic and featured for their Under-18 side.
• 19-year-old Archie Stevens signed his first professional deal after impressing on trial, featuring in Under-21 pre-season games against Chelmsford City and Monaco II.

October 2025

• Brando Bailey-Joseph signed his first professional contract with Arsenal; the talented winger joined the club at just six years old and has spent more than 11 years progressing through the academy, from Hale End to the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
• Goalkeeper Jack Porter was called up to the England Under-17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.
• Andre Harriman-Annous became the first of Arsenal’s 2024 scholars to feature for the first team, while Max Dowman became the first 2025 scholar to be involved.

November 2025

• Arsenal’s youngsters won the Premier League Under-16 National Tournament for the 2025/26 season.
• Arsenal’s Under-18s were confirmed to travel to Mansfield Town in the FA Youth Cup third round, with the tie scheduled for Monday 15 December at One Call Stadium.

December 2025

• Arsenal finalised an agreement to sign twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, with the pair — who grew up in Esmeraldas, Ecuador — scheduled to officially join the club in August 2027 upon turning 18.
• Academy forward Daniel Oyetunde returned to Arsenal following the completion of his loan spell at St Albans.
• Arsenal’s Under-18s booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, setting up a tie against Manchester City.

January 2026

• Ife Ibrahim signed his first professional contract with Arsenal, marking a major milestone in his journey at the club; the versatile midfielder joined the Gunners at the age of seven and, 11 years on, has now put pen to paper on his first senior deal.
• Ife Ibrahim and Brando Bailey-Joseph both made their senior debuts for Arsenal, in a fixture against Kairat Almaty.

February 2026

• Osman Kamara completed a permanent move to Championship club Blackburn Rovers; the 19-year-old forward joined the club in May 2014 and signed his first professional contract in June 2024.
• Evan Mooney joined the Arsenal academy from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren; the 18-year-old, a product of St Mirren’s academy, can play as an attacking midfielder or centre-forward.
• Charles Sagoe Jr completed a loan move to Swedish outfit Kalmar FF, where he will remain until January 2027; the 21-year-old arrived at the academy from Fulham in July 2015 and signed his first professional contract in July 2022.
• 19-year-old forward Daniel Oyetunde completed a permanent move to USL League One side Fort Wayne.
• Maalik Hashi signed his first professional contract with Arsenal; the creative midfielder joined the club in December 2022 and progressed through to the Under-18s.
• Teshaun Murisa signed his first professional contract with Arsenal; the 17-year-old, who joined the club at age six, has earned a senior deal after 11 years in the Arsenal academy.

April 2026

• Arsenal’s Under-15s lifted the inaugural Premier League Next Gen Beijing Cup.

2024/25 Season

A proud 2024/25 season for the Arsenal Academy saw the Under-16s crowned Premier League Cup winners, and the Under-21s reach the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

Mehmet Ali served as Under-21 Head Coach throughout the campaign.

Scholars 2024/25

Andre Annous (Forward), Samuel Chapman (Defender), Ife Ibrahim (Midfielder), Theo Julienne (Midfielder), Aleksander Marciniak (Midfielder), Joshua Ogunnaike (Defender), Ceadach O’Neill (Forward)

Samuel Onyekachukwu (Defender), Jack Porter (Goalkeeper), Khari Ranson (Goalkeeper), Louis Zecevic-John (Forward), Marley Frohock (Forward).

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Jack Henry Francis (Midfielder) – Sligo Rovers
• Charles Sagoe Jr (Forward) – Shrewsbury Town
• Maldini Kacurri (Defender) – Bromley
• Brian Okonkwo (Goalkeeper) – Hitchin

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Ayden Heaven (Defender, #76), Jack Henry-Francis (Midfielder, #45), Ismeal Kabia (Forward, #46), Maldini Kacurri (Defender, #47), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Midfielder, #49), Ethan Nwaneri (Midfielder, #53)

Joshua Nichols (Defender, #51), Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand (Midfielder, #56), Jack Porter (Goalkeeper, #92), Tommy Setford (Goalkeeper, #36), Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (Forward, #37), Jimi Gower (Midfielder, #44).

International Players 2024/25

• Charlie Phillips (GK) – England U15
• Emerson Nwaneri (MF) – England U15 Camp
• Marli Salmon (DF) – England U16
• Patrick Stachow (DF) – England U16
• Josiah King (DF) – England U16
• Alex Marciniak (MF) – Wales U17
• Brayden Clarke (DF) – Wales U17
• Jack Porter (GK) – England U17
• Chido Obi (FW) – Denmark U17
• Theo Julienne (MF) – England U17
• Max Dowman (MF) – England U17
• Louis Zečević-John (FW) – Serbia U17
• Khari Ranson (GK) – England U18
• Ceadach O’Neill (MF) – Northern Ireland U19
• Lucas Martin Nygaard (GK) – Denmark U19
• Tommy Setford (GK) – England U19
• Ethan Nwaneri (MF) – England U17; U19; U21
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (MF) – England U18; U19; First Team
• Ayden Heaven (DF) – England U18; U19
• Alexei Rojas (GK) – Colombia U20
• Osman Kamara (FW) – Sierra Leone U20
• Ismeal Kabia (FW) – Sierra Leone U20
• Maldini Kacurri (DF) – Albania U21

Ethan Nwaneri (England), Brayden Clarke (Wales) and Chido Obi (Denmark) were called up by their nations for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Cyprus.

Defender Ayden Heaven and midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly were called up to the England Under-18s squad for the Tri Nations Trophy at St George’s Park.

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Arsenal’s Under-17s were drawn in Group A against Under-17 sides from Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Fulham.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group G against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Birmingham City.

In the U19 UEFA Youth League, Arsenal’s Under-19s were grouped with Atalanta, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Sporting CP and Monaco.

Season Timeline

September 2024

• Nathan Butler-Oyedeji won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for August.
• At 14 years old, Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player in the UEFA Youth League, surpassing Kaylen Hinds, who had debuted at 15 in 2013.
• Jack Porter made history as the youngest player to start a debut match for Arsenal, at 16 years and 72 days old in a Carabao Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers, breaking the previous record set by Cesc Fàbregas, who was 16 years and 177 days old when he started in a League Cup match against Rotherham United in October 2003.

November 2024

• Nathan Butler was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for October 2024.
• Arsenal were drawn away to either Hertford Town or Bristol Rovers in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
• Arsenal were confirmed to play Hertford Town away in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, following Hertford Town’s progression past Bristol Rovers.

December 2024

• 14-year-old Max Dowman earned his first Arsenal Under-21 call-up, for their match against Brighton, breaking Richie Powling’s record as the youngest player to feature for the team.
• Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie away at Hertford Town.
• In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Arsenal were drawn at home to Queens Park Rangers.
• Arsenal’s Under-17s were crowned winners of the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Brazil.
• The FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie at home to QPR was confirmed for Saturday 18 January at Borehamwood FC’s stadium.

January 2025

• Charles Sagoe Jr rejoined Arsenal after completing his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, where he had featured in 18 matches.
• Theo Julienne signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.
• Arsenal’s Under-18s advanced to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against QPR.
• Arsenal’s Under-18s were confirmed to face Fulham in the FA Youth Cup fifth round, with the tie scheduled for Friday 31 January at Motspur Park.
• The Under-18s secured a spot in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, following their tie against Fulham.

February 2025

• Arsenal’s Under-16s advanced to the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup, following their tie against Manchester City.
• Arsenal were confirmed to take on Manchester United at home in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
• Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup run came to an end, following their tie against Manchester United.

April 2025

• Michal Rosiak was shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for March 2025.
• In the Premier League 2 Round of 16, Arsenal’s Under-21s were drawn against Newcastle United’s Under-21s, with the match scheduled for 25 April.
• Arsenal’s Under-21s advanced to the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 knockout stage, following their tie against Newcastle United.
• Arsenal’s Under-21s were set to play away against Manchester City’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 knockout stage quarter-finals, scheduled for Saturday 3 May.

May 2025

• Arsenal’s Under-21s were eliminated from the Premier League 2 play-offs at the quarter-final stage, following their tie against Manchester City.
• Arsenal striker Khayon Edwards was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
• Max Dowman became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA European Under-17 Championship history, at 15 years, 4 months and 26 days old, breaking the previous record of 15 years, 5 months and 26 days, jointly held by Portugal’s Bruno Gama and Ukraine’s Viktor Tsygankov.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (joined FC Lausanne-Sport), Reece Clairmont, Khayon Edwards (joined Estoril Praia), Jakai Fisher, Romari Forde, Jimi Gower (joined Moreirense)

Jack Henry-Francis (joined Shelbourne), Max Kuczynski (joined Charlton Athletic), Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Ismail Oulad M’Hand, Brian Okonkwo, Elian Quesada-Thorn (joined LD Alajuelense), Michal Rosiak (joined Śląsk Wrocław), Zacariah Shuaib (joined Real Sociedad).