Former Barcelona & Arsenal Youth Team Coach Names Iwobi, Saka Among Young Talents Developed By The Gunners

Former Barcelona and Arsenal youth team coach Andries Jonker wants to see more homegrown players given a chance in the first team of Premier League clubs.

The Dutch coach pointed out that two Hale End Academy products in Bukayo Saka and Alex Iwobi rose through the ranks before making their first team debuts for Arsenal.

While Iwobi debuted in the 2015-2016 season under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, going the distance against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup at the age of 19, Saka's maiden appearance for the first team came against Vorskla in the Europe League in October 2018.

"What we developed is unbelievable for English standards. Iwobi, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Willock, Saka, McGuane, Smith Rowe. Come on, those are some nice players," said Jonker to The Sun.

"It's very nice to see them get chances. In England those 92 clubs develop a huge amount of players. But where do they go? They do not play them.

"They escape to Holland and Germany. They develop themselves and then the English clubs think, 'Let's bring them back!' It's catastrophic."

After spending fifteen years at Arsenal, Iwobi packed his bags for Everton, for whom he has made 22 appearances this season since joining last summer. 

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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