Arsenal’s academy stars were on full display this week! The U21s drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in a thrilling match that saw Charles Sagoe Jr. dominate and Ife Ibrahim completely change the game off the bench. Marli Salmon also impressed with a strong start at right-back.

Meanwhile, the U18s secured a 3-2 victory powered by more goals from Ceadach O’Neill and a world-class free kick from Maalik Hashi that you have to see to believe.

To top it all off, Max Dowman made his senior debut for Arsenal — and he was absolutely spectacular.

Watch the full breakdown of the standout performances and what they mean for the future of Hale End!

0:00 - Intro

0:34 - Arsenal u21 Recap

9:14 - Arsenal u18 Recap

17:42 - Max Dowman

Follow Hale End Productions:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/willbalsam

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haleendprods

#Arsenal #HaleEnd #ArsenalAcademy #SagoeJr #IfeIbrahim #maxdowman

In this first episode of the season, I take a closer look inside Arsenal’s Academy, breaking down how the U21 and U18 squads are shaping up for 2025/26. I recap the opening matches for both sides, highlight standout performances, and dig into how Max Dowman is expected to fit in with the U21s this year. There’s also a big focus on the loan market, with decisions looming for players like Ismeal Kabia, Josh Nichols, Maldini Kacurri, and Charles Sagoe Jr. before the transfer window closes. Finally, I explore which U18 stars could be ready to make the leap up to the U21 level this season. If you’re following Arsenal’s next generation of talent, this is your full Academy preview.

0:00 - Intro

0:56 - U21 Season Preview

11:36 - Arsenal u21 vs. Fulham u21 Highlights

19:09 - U18 Season Preview

26:48 - Arsenal u18 vs Norwich u18 Highlights

Follow Will Balsam/Hale End Productions Social Channels:

Twitter/X - https://x.com/willbalsam

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haleendprods

#Arsenal #HaleEnd #ArsenalAcademy

I am joined by @GeorgeV_AFC (Twitter) to discuss the recent outgoings from Arsenal's Academy, including the loss of Chido Obi, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Reuell Walters and more. We breakdown the biggest flaws in Hale End's approach right now and how the club can get back on the right path. George and I also discuss whether it was Arsenal's fault Chido Obi left.

Arsenal's Academy last won the PL2 in 2017/18. In this video, I breakdown each player's career path and where they are now. Look out for key players like Joe Willock, Krystian Bielik, Chupa Akpom, Donyell Malen, and more!

0:00 - Intro

2:46 - Joe Willock

4:41 - Reiss Nelson

7:50 - Emile Smith Rowe

10:41 - Eddie Nketiah

13:42 - Jeff reine adelaide

16:01 - Xavier Amaechi

17:47 - Ainsley Maitland-Niles

21:20 - Donyell Malen

22:46 - Folarin Balogun

24:27 - Chupa Akpom

25:49 - Jordi Osei-Tutu

26:56 - Josh Dasilva

27:44 - Ben Sheaf

28:41 - Kyrstian Bielik

29:48 - Tyreece John-Jules

30:32 - Zech Medley

31:14 - Julio Pleguezuelo

32:02 - Charlie Gilmour

33:16 - Marcus McGuane

34:35 - Tolaji Bola

35:10 - Yassin Fortune, Vlad Dragomir, Dejan Iliev, Matt Macey

A breakdown of all 16 loanees from Hale End during the 23/24 season. Arsenal’s Academy stars had some ups and downs, but the likes of Mika Biereth, Arthur Okonkwo, and more showed their potential and talent this year on loan.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:08 - Mika Biereth

00:08:01 - Brooke Norton-Cuffy

00:16:03 - Charlie Patino

00:22:58 - Arthur Okonkwo

00:26:24 - Tyreece John-Jules

00:30:55 - Salah Eddine Oulad M’Hand

00:34:37 - Omar Rikki

00:39:01 - Alex Kirk

00:42:11 - Kido Taylor-Hart

00:45:09 - Khayon Edwards

00:48:42 - Nathan Butler-Oyedeji

00:50:04 - Catalin Cirjan

00:52:34 - Charles Sagoe Jr.

00:54:41 - Zane Monlouis

00:55:58 - Billy Vigar

00:56:45 - Mauro Bandeira

00:59:29 - Outro

Arsenal U16 Coach Dan Buck joins the show to talk about his 27 years of coaching in youth football, 16 of those at Arsenal. Buck spent time at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger's staff in the early 2000s and has been at Arsenal since 2016 more recently.

Buck talks about seeing Jack Wilshere play at Luton Town when he was a coach at Barnet and being part of the team that brought Super Jack to Hale End. Dan shares insights on Harry Kane's development at Arsenal, including trying him out as a goalkeeper and the many things Kane's success has taught him as a coach.

Buck also shares more recent stories of Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino, Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters and Max Dowman.

follow Hale End Productions:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HaleEndProds

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haleendprods

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4MFmaxFgYuT5A9MVgP25hG?si=74ce7e53172b4571

Apple Podcasts - http://apple.co/35mwtfs

0:00 - Wilshere Story

1:22 - Intro

2:45 - Choosing a Career in Youth Football

5:05 - Working with Jack Wilshere and Harry Kane

6:51 - Development of Jack Wilshere

7:25 - Development of Harry Kane

10:03 - Innate Talent vs. Hard Work

11:29 - Reuell Walters' Path

13:13 - Changes in Youth Football

22:49 - Culture at Hale End

33:17 - Similarities and Differences between Wenger and Arteta

39:22 - Key Principles of Successful Players

45:49 - Favorite Moment at Arsenal

follow Hale End Productions:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HaleEndProds

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haleendprods

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4MFmaxFgYuT5A9MVgP25hG?si=ad6fd959dc924e8e

Apple Podcasts - http://apple.co/35mwtfs

0:00 - Intro

1:01 - Khayon Edwards

10:14 - Zane Monlouis

13:52 - Lino Sousa and Bradley Ibrahim

17:20 - Miguel Azeez

19:36 - Charles Sagoe Jr.

20:29 - Omar Rekik

22:50 - Outro

Khayon Edwards is off to Leyton Orient for the rest of the season to show why he's one of the most complete number 9s Hale End has ever produced!

follow Hale End Productions:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HaleEndProds

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@haleendprods

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4MFmaxFgYuT5A9MVgP25hG?si=74ce7e53172b4571

Apple Podcasts - http://apple.co/35mwtfs

0:00 - Intro

0:33 - Mauro Bandeira Profile

7:55 - Charlie Patino

11:11 - Brooke Norton-Cuffy

11:21 - Arthur Okonkwo

11:41 - Tyreece John-Jules

12:27 - Mika Biereth

12:35 - Omar Rekik, Alex Kirk, Kido Taylor-Hart, Salah Eddine Oulad M'Hand, Henry Jeffcott, Mauro Bandeira, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Catalin Cirjan, Billy Vigar

Mauro Bandeira is the vertical midfielder Arsenal have been crying out for in recent struggles. He brings the direct passing that Arsenal are lacking without Thomas Partey and some of the duel winning prowess of an Amadou Onana. Bandeira isn't ready to step in to Arsenal's 1st team immediately, but he wasn't far from the senior team late last season.

follow Hale End Productions:

follow Hale End Productions: