News

Watch three episodes of 'Inside Hale End' now!

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at our world-famous academy, then Inside Hale End will offer unprecedented insight into the quest to develop future first-team stars.

Our new six-part documentary series - presented by Arsenal and adidas - follows the paths of our under-15 and under-16 squads last season, taking an in-depth glimpse into their lives and what it means to be an aspiring footballer.

For the first time, cameras were allowed on-site to follow academy manager Per Mertesacker, under-15s coach Adam Pilling and the under-16s' Adam Birchall as they help the next generation plot a course from Hale End to London Colney, thanks to their first professional contract.

The first three episodes are now available here on Arsenal.com for our members to watch, with the following three episodes will be released on Tuesday, September 12.

If you're not a member, then you can watch the first two episodes on our YouTube channel - find out how to become a member and the benefits it brings.

The series covers various topics that the Hale End staff and players must face during a season at the academy. These include the 2021/22 cup run, how scouts identify talent for the academy, life on the road and player graduation.

Mertesacker said: “This club has such a rich history of identifying and nurturing young talent. From legends like Tony Adams, Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere, to more current graduates like Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, the Hale End Academy has proven itself as the lifeblood of Arsenal.

“This new documentary will be the first of its kind, offering no-holds-barred access into how a Premier League youth academy runs itself. We will hopefully show people the values that Arsenal instils in its young players from an early age and the strength and determination that go into any given season, along with all the ups and downs along the way. Our vision is to ultimately create Strong Young Gunners.”

If you're interested in 'Inside Hale End', you can gain further insight into the goings-on at first-team level with 'Arsenal: All Or Nothing,' which is available to watch now on Amazon Prime Video