First-team players Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attended Arsenal Soccer School Dubai at Emirates' 7he Sevens facility this week. Held weekly across school terms, the players were present to offer some tips to the 300 children in attendance.
Elliot Birdy, 12, reports from Arsenal Soccer School Dubai
The soccer school is a joint venture between the Gunners and Club partner Emirates and has been in operation since 2008. In that time more than 4,000 children have taken part in coaching sessions at the modern complex in Dubai, learning how to play the Arsenal way. This week the three players took part in light training and small-sided games with the children aged five to 18 years old before doing a Q&A session with the attendees. The visit to finished off with the players signing items and having pictures taken with the 300 strong audience.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "It was really great to spend some time with our young fans out here in Dubai, there were hundreds kitted out in their Arsenal gear and really excited about the sessions. The facilities and pitch here are amazing, I wish I had access to this kind of facility when I was younger!"
Jenkinson added: "There is some pretty decent talent out here across the age groups, but more than anything it was brilliant to be involved in some sessions with kids who are clearly mad about football. We all start off just wanting to kick a ball about and improve our technique, and hopefully the children present at the session will have got some good tips from us."
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