Arsenal Soccer School have shown great timing in coinciding the start of their new term with the team’s ascendancy to the top of the Premier League.
After a small Christmas break, the Arsenal Soccer School returns to The Sevens Stadium next Monday, January 6.
While the senior team lead the Premier League, a massive injury crisis has struck the club and maybe they’ll be tempted to dip into their UAE pot. Probably not, but we can all dream.
What the Arsenal academy doesn’t sell itself on is a dream, or rather a mirage.
When the academy opened, former Gunner Ian Selley – now a coach – made it clear that the club make no promises other than providing the best footballing education they can provide. The former Arsenal man said that many academies tell parents that they can ensure a smooth route into top-class football – a high claim – but that at Arsenal, they are more realistic, simply delivering football in “the Arsenal way”.
Emirates joint venture with Arsenal FC offers the opportunity for children to learn and play football of the highest possible standard.
Other than playing silky football, there is an easier way to under- stand the “Arsenal way” and a more tangible template. According to the academy, it is about Attitude, Respect, Skills, Energy, New Thinking, All for one, Learning – take a look at the first letter of each word to understand it further.
Three courses of ten-weeks each run consecutively during school terms each year, catering to children aged between 5 and 18 years.
The Arsenal Academy has been a resounding success since opening its doors at the Sevens over a year ago, with numbers ever growing while youngsters have enjoyed expert coaching and special visits.
Earlier this year, the children involved in the academy not only got to meet but also train with a few of Arsenal’s first team. Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and de- fenders Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs – all England internationals – visited the Sevens to pass on some pearls of wisdom and show children first hand what it means to play the “Arsenal way”.
The academy has a unique way of operating by giving the kids all-round skills, often holding up particular Arsenal players as mod- els for certain positions.
The courses are progressive, with each building on the skills learnt in the last course, thus enabling the children to develop confidence on the pitch whilst having fun through play.
Competitive matches are regularly held against opposing teams to expose the students to different styles of football. Plus, development squads are selected to help to raise the standard of play, especially among the more gifted players.
Cost rise with the amount of sessions per week you choose to take. One session per week will cost a total of Dh1,750 while twice a week will cost 3,000.
If you want to go all out for the treatment and go for three sessions a week, be prepared to part with Dh4,000 in exchange for one of the best sporting educations you can get.
For more information about Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai and to book your place on a course call 04 809 6679.
