Quote Originally Posted by mastermind84 View Post
I will say it one more time, when is the last time Ajax produced a world class player? I honestly think it was Seedorf, but I may be wrong. Please tell me when. they are the standards we are holding ourselves too. They themselves have not been able to produce a world class talent since. That should show you this is not easy.

Lets look at Barcelona. they implemented the Ajax system in the late 80s when Cruyff came back to the club. Xavi first came up through that system, then Iniesta, then Busquets and Cesc although they finished their schooling elsewhere. Finally Messi. It took over 20 years for Barcelona to find this group.

How about United? Who is the last world class player they have produced through their academy? Becks?

I mention this because this isnt a magic "flick the switch" thing. It doesnt just happen, and Arsenal play in London as well. To complain that Arsenal havent produced an all time cohort of players through their academy is a nonsensical question. It doesn't happen. Its one thing if we are seeing a bunch of other clubs produce players and Arsenal are lacking, but that is not the case. It just doesnt happen, and its very rare.

No, what Arsenal does is attempt to produce a group of all time player but at the very least sell the players for high costs down the league if it does not work for them. Its effing difficult to just produce one first teamer. Arsenal have produced 2 English internationals in Gibbs and Wilshere and thats not enough for you even though no other team in the top half can say that. (minus Southampton)

Its akin asking "why hasnt Arsenal produced a Messi?"

And I say this even though I question Arsenal's academy and felt it was overrated for a while and felt Wenger is overrated in his youth approach. Wenger is a finishing school type, but I have never seen any example of him producing elite players through his academy. When I say overrated, I mean how the media sees it and how Wenger likes to sell himself. In truth, he is doing exactly what he is supposed to do with the academy.


Has Wenger or anyone at the club ever said this
Youu're using Gibbs and Wilshere as examples to support the fact we've done ok, please.....one is a crock who's not even a particularly good full back (playing for England means nothing these days, nobodies get picked) and the other is another crock who has been overrated from the day he showed up and has done nothing to justify that hype.