Written by Mean Lean on Thursday, 17 November 2011 09:26

Arsene Wenger said quite a few years ago that Arsenal would have plenty of players ready to play for the England team given time and he has already been proven correct. Jack Wilshere has already broken through and is now a first name on Fabio Capello's team sheet. Kieran Gibbs was given a few caps last season, only injury has stopped the left back adding to those caps. You wouldn't bet against Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain being given a full international cap as soon as he gets presented with a run of games for Arsenal. This is not to mention Theo Walcott who has developed his game since his move to Arsenal from Southampton in 2006. He has been consistently in the England squad for the last few years.

While the stream of English talent continues for Arsenal, this is not the case for the rest of the country according to youth team coach Steve Bould.

Bould said:

"We've got some good English kids and I think we've always had good English kids and certainly I think there are a lot of good English kids coming through the system. Part of the Premier league program is to get more contact time with the ball we all absolutely agree that this is the way to go."

"We have Spanish kids, we have Dutch, we have French and Swiss kids. Our top players are every bit as good technically. I guess the problem is that as a country we don't have enough. So I think that is where everyone is trying to address that problem."

I think we all saw the difference in technique during the recent under 21s tournament where Stuart Pearce's team failed miserably. It is little wonder that the country is still short in the technique department when people like Tony Pulis and his ilk are being lauded for their direct style of football.

Until other clubs come into line with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and a few others then we will continue to be behind the Spanish, French and South Americans in the technique stakes.

As an Arsenal fan first and foremost I am looking forward to the likes of Chucks Aneke, Benik Afobe, Luke Freeman and a few others developing and hopefully making a name for themselves at Arsenal. If not then at least they will have had the correct coaching and will be ready to pass and move for another top club.

This great club continue to do things the classy way. Well done Arsenal.

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Comments (5)

• 17-Nov-2011 10:51 | | Scott  - why so hard?
  

  I coach an under 5' s side...my sons team.
  All season,I have been asked how I have kids this age playing in position,calling for the ball,passing to each other etc,etc,etc.
  It's easy,if you are prepared to spend the time.
  They're 5,but its a start.

• 17-Nov-2011 11:11 | | MeanLean
  

  That is great Scott, and I wish more would act like you. The problem is a cultural one in my opinion. I do think it is improving but coaches are often more interested in results than improving and developing players. Schools and youth teams will continue to play the big, fast kids even with limited technical abilities if it means that they win more matches.
  
  I was at the park with my kids recently and a match was being played for kids roughly aged 8-10. Both managers were screaming to hit the ball long down the line and kids in the midfield were just running back and forth chasing these long lumped passes. It was so sad to see.
  
  Only once this is frowned upon all over the country will something change.

• 17-Nov-2011 11:14 | | Uganda Gooner  - There is need for hard work
  

  There is need for England to design programs for youth coaches who will be instructed to teach the young ones with what to do when with the ball, and positing as well as other basics of the game instead of teaching them to only win.

• 17-Nov-2011 11:28 | | Scott
  

  My kids have already had training sessions using the opposite foot exclusively........the rate of improvement is amazing,and they truly pick things up very,very quickly.
  Have no fear,I am no tyrant,and the kids have a ball,but I think the secret is getting down to their level,and each time you do something,explain why in a way they understand.
  To see a kid that age score with his opposite foot,or perform a one-two pass is brilliant.
  Watching 20 y.o's that can't kick with both feet is depressing!!!!

• 18-Nov-2011 09:02 | | Matt Finish  - Yawnarama
  

  English youth (and senior) team do not have the technical ability that our continental friends have - shock horror.
  
  We specialise at being average collectively, but superb as part of a balaced team of foreign talent, hence Euro sucess.
  
  The balance at Arsenal is all wrong, and has been since 2004, so I dont care what any english manager says about any english kids - it's all irrelavant until we fix our own problem and get our trophies back.
  
  In any case, football is a fix these days.......John Terry didnt slip and everyone knows it......

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