We are delighted to announce our new men’s first-year scholars, who will be joining us ahead of the 2023/24 season.
All 13 scholars will develop and train at London Colney for the next two seasons, where they will work with our coaches and support staff, in particular with Under-18s Head Coach Jack Wilshere - all under the leadership of Luke Hobbs, our Head of Academy Coaching, our Academy Manager Per Mertesacker, and overall support from Sporting Director Edu.
Per and the Academy Coaches have given us a brief overview of each of the players in this year’s new group of scholars:
Bless Akolbire
Bless came to Hale End as an under-14 from Colchester United. He is a central midfield player and has the ability to dribble past his opponents in tight spaces and has a very good passing range.
Jakai Bascoe-Fisher
Jakai is a very quick, direct and talented offensive player. He is able to beat players in 1-on-1 situations and has demonstrated an effective eye for goal since he came to the academy in his under-12 season.
Dan Casey
Dan has been through the journey at Hale End from the pre-academy all the way through to the full-time programme at London Colney. During this time he has always scored goals, operating as an attacking midfield player, centre forward or wide attacker.
Reece Clairmont
Reece is a quick wide attacker who is very dangerous when 1v1 with an opponent. Reece came to Hale End in his under-13 season. He has blistering pace and is also able to operate at left back.
Louie Copley
Louie is an energetic attacking midfield player who joined us from West Ham United at under-13 level. He has an eye for the ‘last pass’ which can unlock an opposition’s defence.
Ayden Heaven
Ayden joined us as an under-13 from West Ham United. He is a versatile player, comfortable in defence or midfield. Ayden is a player who can move with the ball skilfully, pass well and physically impose himself on the game.
Cam’ron Ismail
Cam’ron is a left back who joined us at under-15 level. He is competitive in duels, is able to get forward and join into attacks, driven to win and has developed into a leader on and off the pitch.
Max Kuczynski
Max is a competitive left-sided defender, who joined the academy as an under-12. He is comfortable in the back line at left back or centre half. Max has developed through Hale End, is comfortable in possession and is a strong competitor.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles has been at Arsenal for a number of years, progressing from the pre-academy at Hale End all the way through to the full-time programme. He is comfortable in all midfield positions and is an excellent dribbler, passer and physically very strong on and off the ball. Myles has represented England at youth level.
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan has been with us for a long time, progressing through Hale End from pre-academy right the way through to London Colney. He plays mostly as an attacking midfield player and has always scored goals from this position on his development journey. Ethan can dribble, beat defenders and sees the last pass very well. Ethan has represented England at youth level.
Daniel Oyetunde
Daniel is a very quick and direct attacking player. He came to the academy during his under-15 year and he has developed into a versatile offensive player. He is able to score lots of different types of goals and is able to operate as a number 9 or wide attacker.
Zac Shuaib
Zac joined the academy as an under-15. He is a midfield player who can operate below or ahead of the ball. Zac possess a high quality passing range and can turn defence into attack very quickly.
Will Sweet
Will is very much a ball-playing defender with a diverse range of passing. He reads the game well, can step into midfield and is comfortable playing centrally or in the full back position. Will has been with us from pre-academy, through Hale End and into our full-time programme. Will has represented Wales at youth level.
Per concluded by saying: “A huge congratulations to all of our new first-year scholars. This is the next step in their exciting journey and I’m personally looking forward to witnessing their continued progression with us.
“As they start this new chapter, our Academy colleagues will continue to work alongside each player to support and guide whenever they need us. We want to make them not only the best footballers they can be, but also the best people that they can be, and develop them all into Strong Young Gunners. This is a really promising group of players and we all look forward to seeing their continued development with us.”
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