Whether you judge successful youth development on the quality of talent coming through the system or their ability to consistently win and claim trophies, Arsenal have it all.
Arsène Wenger has a wide selection of emerging young talent at his disposal, and the majority have been a part of The Gunners’ trophy laden Under 18’s. Last season they retained their league title, hammering Nottingham Forest in the final. The players who made up that side are now looking to make their way in the professional game, but not all of them are doing so at London Colney.
Goalkeeper James Dunn, drafted in from Southend United during the season to cover for injuries, is one of those. He proved a popular figure in North London and pulled off a number of important stops on route to the final. Now with non-league Dulwich Hamlet, he spoke to Young Guns this week about life past and present.
Dunn kicked things off by explaining his current position and how the club have helped him since being released this summer;
“I’m currently at Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman South Division. Obviously dropping out the full time game was a massive blow but you have to handle knock-backs in football and its how you respond. I had a couple of trials at clubs but all of them were looking for experience rather than ability. It’s all about getting that experience.”
“Arsenal have been very good for me, helping me sort out some of my college stuff, for example, and have been in contact to see how am I doing. There’s not a bad thing I can say since I’ve left Arsenal.”
The name Arsenal on any CV is always something a footballer can be proud of, and sometimes it can open doors. James looks back fondly on his time with the club;
“I have to say that Arsenal was one of the best times I have had in my footballing career. The facilities, coaching and support you get there is second to none. There isn’t anywhere better in the country a youngster could be. Just having the experience is a bonus for me, but as well, not a lot of players can say they have been on Arsenal’s books.”
“I enjoyed my whole time at Arsenal, and I don’t have a bad word to say about any players, staff or the club itself. The setup is fantastic and it gives you the best chance to get a future at the club or even somewhere in the footballing world. I wish the club and the players all the best for future.”
Arsenal’s goalkeeping training and development is something much maligned and discussed. Questions have been raised over the quality and whether the ‘keepers actually improve their game. For Dunn, their is no need for such debate;
“When I trained under Tony Roberts and on certain occasions David Seaman, I feel I improved dramatically. Just having someone that is still in the current game is fantastic and the experience of the coaches will help you improve as they pass their knowledge on.”
Finally, what of his former rivals? how does James rate the likes of Shea, McDermott, Martinez and Charles-Cook as stoppers?
“The current crop off ‘keepers at Arsenal have a fantastic chance of fulfilling their potential. If they all do this, they have a big future in the game and I wish them all the best in doing this. I still speak to James Shea every now and again just to check how everything is going.”
“But as I said, there isn’t anywhere better in the country a youngster could be.”
Brilliant article Jamie
i think is good and well help the future of the club grow very will cos some of the well start playing for the first team.but we need mature player so the first team can win the league long leave arsenal gunners for ever
Why is het so far down the ranks all of a sudden? He was almost good enough for us, he must be able to do Championship or something…
Thats great to hear.
But i havent been impressed with the keepers in the youth team apart from oshea, szcensy, mannone.
Sean Mcrdermott has been terrible.
I think thats another reason why our defence looks quite shaky at the back
I am really looking forward to Martinez he does look like the real deal
charles cook is poor, at the last youth game he played he was terrible, another youth told me he plays outfield when he is at school which probably explains why he is so bad
You do realize scholars attend full time? Player of the tournament at a tournament earlier this year. Maybe Brady is a bad judge of players when he hands out these contracts to scholars!
all the best to James. I hope he will be able to be in Championship at least, don’t think he did *that* bad during his time with us
nice to know that the boy still keep in touch with Shea (who I rate highly) Thanks for the article, Jamie
Shame the lad has dropped out of the pro game altogether. Hopefully he’ll get an opportunity somewhere soon.
I’ve never really been inpressed with the quality of keeper we have brought through our own ranks and am struggling to think of a decent keeper that has come out of our academy and graduated to our 1st team…
Yh charles cook reice looks more of an outfield player than a goalkeeper.
BTW guys whats better fifa 11 or pro evo 11
PES
HaHaHa…ignorant clown.
Vito mannone is frustrated @ the lack of first team opportunities & want to go on loan. I think that is the most sensible thing to do, or what do you think mates.
its pretty simple why he’s not playing, wenger wants two players to sign new contracts and that’s Szczesny and Fabianski and that’s why he’s trying to give both players playing time
Fabianski will probably feature more in the PL and
Szczesny will play in the cup games and hopefully both will sign new contracts by the end of the year
if they do expect both to go out on six months loans next year and maybe Mannone will go out on loan in January
can this be the arsenal team 5 years in the future
http://oi54.tinypic.com/2z5rxg3.jpg
would really like to know
you missed Eastmond for DM position?
Eastmond is a good player but he really doesnt look like he will make an impact and get into the first team
Frimpong is a possiblity but only if he stays fit
wow just saw the number of reserve players whose contracts are to expire at the end of the year and its incredible nodoby has signed yet
Szczesny, Hoyte, Nortvedit, Ozzyakup, Sunu, Cruise and Randall
Wenger needs to get Nortvedit, Ozzyakup and Szczesny on long term comtracts ASAP and I mean within the year and then he can worry about the other three
playing ozzyakup in the reserve and maybe a birth on the bench in the cup games might do the trick
Szczesny and Nortvedit will require games and hopefully both will get one in the cup games coming up
I would be livid if we lost any of three while giving players like Murphy long term contracts
Ozzyakup, Sunu, Cruise looks like they have the potential to make it. I really hope we dont lose Cruise. But so far we haven’t played a few of these players very much and that might means they are leaving.
please check out this article about our goalkeeping situation
its from a friend
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/485795-arsenal-goalkeeping-targets-and-likely-hood-of-us-signing-the-player
Great Article.
James Dunn seems like a really good kid. Wish him the best of luck and hope to see him out there playing regularly again soon!
Arsenal U-18s won Chelsea`s 3-0 today