Admire the skills of Robin Van Persie? Want to run like Theo Walcott? Have a poster of Andrei Arshavin on your wall?
If your child ticks any of those boxes, or simply wants to improve his or her footballing skills, then the Arsenal Soccer School is the place for them to go and improve every aspect of their game.
The Arsenal Soccer School is permanently based at 7he Sevens, Emirates’ dedicated sporting venue on the Al Ain Road, which hosts the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
The school is a joint venture between Arsenal FC and Emirates airline, the shirt sponsor of the club and its ground, the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium in London.
UEFA Licensed Soccer Schools coaches have been trained to teach children how to ‘Play The Arsenal Way’, the imaginative and skillful football which is the hallmark of club manager Arsène Wenger, who is globally renowned for his ability to nurture young talent.
What is the Arsenal way? If anyone has watched Arsenal during the 15 years of Wenger’s tenure, there’s no doubt as to how the Gunners like to play the game; fast, attacking football with the ball kept on the ground.
The attacking talent that has passed through the club in Wenger’s time is staggering; Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Cesc Fabregas, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Samir Nasri to name but some of the world-class attackers that have worn the red and white in north London these past 15 years.
Gareth Hamilton, Head Coach Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai, said: “The emphasis is on playing as a team to produce creative and skilful football, in the same mould as the Arsenal first team. There is a focus on developing young players’ technical skills and passion for football, but – most importantly – we want them to enjoy playing the game.
“The school is open to boys and girls aged five to 18 of all abilities and is a great platform for them to realise their potential while having great fun at the same time.”
The training programme has, therefore, been developed based on the same principles taught to first-team players; developing players’ technical skills and passion for the game to ensure they become the best players they possibly can.
Three ten-week terms take place each school year, with the first term starting on September 26, second term starting on January 2and third term beginning March 12.
If your child is Arsenal-mad, they’ll be pleased to hear that Fabregas, van Persie, Gael Clichy, Mikael Silvestre, Kieran Gibbs and Manuel Almunia all visited Dubai to meet with pupils in the past. It is expected more players will be making the trip to the Middle East this season.
Enrollment starts at Dh1,750 for a ten-week course, which includes an Arsenal training kit, a cap and sports backpack. The school is open to girls and boys aged between five and 18 of all abilities.
And who knows, with Wenger’s notorious scouting networks covering the globe, maybe your child will be the next young Gunner plying his trade at the Emirates Stadium.
What: Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai, the gateway to your child developing his or her game – or being the next superstar to stroll through the Emirates gates!
When: Ten-week courses are run three times a year, with the next beginning September 26th.
Where: 7he Sevens, Emirates’ dedicated sporting venue on the Al Ain Road, which hosts the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
Tel: 04-8096679 or log onto www.playthearsenalway.com/Dubai
