I've just realised that it is 51 years to the day that I attended my first Arsenal match. Couldn't believe it when my uncle said that Saturday morning "do you want to go to The Arsenal then?". I'd been to a couple of QPR matches as they were my local team growing up but Arsenal could have been on Mars for all I knew, going to Highbury seemed like an unattainable dream.

Remember the day so well. Seeing the green pitch, the North Bank, the Clock End. But most of all seeing those red shirts with white sleeves. I'd only ever seen Arsenal on black and white TV before then. The COLOUR.

And we won, 1-0, great goal by Charlie. They say you always remember your first love. I certainly do

Should AW be getting credit for this? He was in charge of Arsenal when these kids were starting out. He would have seen through their progress as well. I'm wondering.

Take a close look at this.

In 22 years AW only came to Hale End once, and that was to officially open the David Rocastle dome
He was great at promoting players from the 18’s and 23’s, but had pretty much zero input before that
Liam Brady would have been academy director when most of the current crop were signed

Afternoon Hodd
Any news within the club on if Balogun has actually signed his new contract.
Arteta been quoted as singing his praises in interview with sky when talking about the youngsters.
The fact he came on as sub as well seems to have confirmed it but weirdly no announcement yet?

Thanks Hodd. What’s your thoughts on the work Mertesacker is doing now with the academy? It’s easy to like Per, he seems like he commands respect, thinks and talks about the game well but I’d have no idea how that all comes out in his actual work.
I also saw the youth team beat West Ham in the youth cup last night, with Omari Hutchinson grabbing the headlines again, I read he’s 17 which really puts in to perspective what someone like Jude Bellingham is doing at the same age.
In your opinion how good is the next crop?

Nothing formally, but word is he’s agreed a 4 year deal

Hi Hodd,

What have you heard about the current thinking on Saliba and Martinelli?

Obviously, Saliba's on loan (and doing very well) whilst Martinelli hasn't featured much. Was the hype surrounding Martinelli a little over the top?

Nothing formally, but word is he’s agreed a 4 year deal