Premier League - Meet Arsenal's real dream team

Eurosport - Thu, 13 Nov 12:54:00 2008

Those who watched Arsenal's kids outclass a full-strength Wigan side in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night were again left wondering just where Arsenal keep finding all these players?

2008-2009 Arsenal Arsene Wenger - 0

Arsenal's ability to unearth gems from around the world is now legendary but still little is known about the people who actually find all these amazing talents.

Eurosport.yahoo.co.uk takes a look at Arsenal's real dream team - their scouting network - a collection of individuals who save the club a fortune in transfer fees.

Manager - Arsene Wenger

We have to start at the top, and manager Wenger really is the brains behind the whole operation. From his first day in charge he set about bringing a global vision to the club. Only after studying an extensive dossier and video footage of a player will Wenger even consider making a move for him. He is always the ultimate judge when it is decided whether a player is good enough for Arsenal.

Chief scout - Steve Rowley

The leader of a scouting operation that includes seven English scouts and 16 more abroad, Rowley will always travel to watch a player before he is recommended to Wenger. Rowley has been at Arsenal for 30 years and discovered the likes of Tony Adams and Ray Parlour, but before Wenger arrived he had never been on a working assignment outside of Britain. Since then he has travelled all over the planet and is held in such high esteem that clubs have constantly tried to poach him. He recently turned down a big money move to Zenit St Petersburg.

Spanish scout - Francis Cagigao

Cagigao is a former youth player at Arsenal and Barcelona but while he never quite made it as a first-teamer he has become a valuable asset as a scout. Cagigao is the man who identified Cesc Fabregas as a player worth chasing and he recommended Lionel Messi to Arsenal with work permit issues preventing a move for the Argentine at the time. Recently he discovered Fran Merida - tipped as the 'new Fabregas' - who starred against Wigan.

South American scout - Sandro Orlandelli

Based in Brazil, Orlandelli immediately called Rowley when he saw Carlos Vela playing at the World Youth Championships in Peru. Orlandelli also became friends with Vela's father, which helped seal the deal. Denilson was another Orlandelli discovery, while he also first spotted young left-sided player Pedro Botelho who is currently on loan at Salamanca in Spain. He scouted Olympiacos striker Diogo, for whom Arsenal had two bids rejected before his move to Greece from Sao Paulo side Portuguesa.

The close friend - Jean-Marc Guillou

Not directly on the Arsenal payroll, yet Guillou has been a key player in the Arsenal success story. His football schools in Africa helped unearth Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, and his close relationship with Wenger made sure that the Arsenal boss found out first. Guillou was also manager of Belgian club Beveren during the co-operation agreement between the clubs which ran from 2001until 2006.

French scout - Gilles Grimandi

Wenger has an in-depth knowledge of the French game, but when he hears about a top prospect in his homeland he instructs former player Grimandi to keep a keen eye on him. Positive reports from Grimandi on the likes of Abou Diaby, Bacary Sagna, Alex Song, and Mathieu Flamini persuaded Wenger to sign them.

The international partnerships performance supervisor - Steve Morrow

Most famous for scoring the winning goal in the 1993 League Cup final before breaking his arm in the post-match celebrations, Morrow recently started managing Arsenal's international partnerships, which currently includes the Colorado Rapids of the MLS, BEC Tero of Thailand and Hoang Anh Gia Lai of Vietnam. Morrow also assists Arsenal's academies in countries such as Egypt and Ghana.

Scandinavian scout - Bobby Bennett

Bennett has been working for Arsenal in Scandinavia for seven years and helped to persuade Nicklas Bendtner to join the club by presenting him with a signed shirt from his favourite player - Robert Pires. Bennett also scouted Havard Nordtveit, a 17-year-old Norwegian centre-half who is considered one of Arsenal's top prospects and who is currently on loan with Botelho at Salamanca.

Germany scout - Thomas Kost

It didn't 'Kost' much for Arsenal to get either Philippe Senderos or Lukasz Fabianski because both were spotted by Kost early in their careers.

Italian scout - Tony Banfield

Banfield is the son of reserve team coach Neil. His big recent discovery was Johan Djourou who came up on his radar after he overheard two agents talking about the Swiss centre-half at a youth tournament in Croatia.

The ex-players - Peter Clarke and Danny Karbassiyoon

Two more former Arsenal youth players are part of the scouting network, with Clarke based in Holland and Karbassiyoon covering North America and Mexico.

The head of youth development - Liam Brady

The Arsenal and Ireland legend oversees the development of the young players once they arrive at Arsenal, ensuring they can play Wenger's unique brand of football. He has been at the club since just before Wenger arrived in 1996. Former Arsenal great Steve Bould is also involved with the youngsters as head coach of the Under-18 Academy side.

Seán Fay / Eurosport

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  1. arsenal do need striker...but the main priority is in­ defense...we need quality and experience dm..if not­ toure and gallas will have so much burden..the duo are­ good but who will cover for them if they make­ mistake...last season we got flamini and­ gilberto...before that viera..thats its the key for not­ losing to the likes of stoke,fulham etc.i think­ denilson not quite good enough to play the holding­ role...strength and experience needed...

    Vela is the­ true HEIR of NO 14.....the next henry

    sory for my­ english..i came from a galaxy far away from­ earth....hahahaha.....

    From Electrick la, on Wed 12 Nov 7:37PM

  2. Senational, Hope the team can keep their act's­ together and prove the critics wrong. And this­ revelation should perfectly back up the first team this­ time around. This season 2008-2009 is GUNNERS so go on­ Boy's make us proud. Remmember surprise is the­ watch word.

    From dayolee, on Wed 12 Nov 7:36PM

  3. I dnt agree with u glennvdpas blc arsenal have talented­ players like Csce Fabregas,Theo Walcott,Nasri and the­ like so u see we have players that can make things­ happen though we have many injured players but­ hopefully they wil be back soon 2 help us win TROPHIES.

    From smarty4lily, on Wed 12 Nov 7:35PM

  4. I dnt agree with u glennvdpas blc arsenal have talented­ players like Csce Fabregas,Theo Walcott,Nasri and the­ like so u see we have players that can make things­ happen though we have many injured players but­ hopefully they wil be back soon 2 help us win TROPHIES.

    From smarty4lily, on Wed 12 Nov 7:33PM

  5. I dnt agree with u grannvdpas blc arsenal have talented­ players like Csce Fabregas,Theo Walcott,Nasri and the­ like so u see we have players that can make things­ happen though we have many injured players but­ hopefully they wil be back soon 2 help us win TROPHIES.

    From smarty4lily, on Wed 12 Nov 7:33PM

  6. I dnt agree with u grannvdpas blc arsenal have talented­ players like Csce Fabregas,Theo Walcott,Nasri and the­ like so u see we have players that can make things­ happen though we have many injured players but­ hopefully they wil be back soon 2 help us win TROPHIES.

    From smarty4lily, on Wed 12 Nov 7:33PM

  7. I dnt agree with u grandy blc arsenal have talented­ players like Csce Fabregas,Theo Walcott,Nasri and the­ like so u see we have players that can make things­ happen though we have many injured players but­ hopefully they wil be back soon 2 help us win TROPHIES.

    From smarty4lily, on Wed 12 Nov 7:31PM

  8. Yes certainly Arsenal are a great club and certainly­ have a great team but they will never be as good as­ LIVERPOOL the greatest club the world has ever seen­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Michael, on Wed 12 Nov 7:31PM

  9. kingekwe***** great words mate, I remember west ham for­ their flowing football a few years back ,,, did"nt­ win much but they played fine soccer..

    From tonynterri, on Wed 12 Nov 7:27PM

  10. I'm pretty sceptical about the Arsenal youth team.­ I don't think hey could consistantly perform this­ well. I think they'll be great in the future,­ it's just starting to come together...

    From George W, on Wed 12 Nov 7:23PM

  11. typical the spurs supporter is anonymous, so would i be­ if i supported spurs no one would admit their true­ identity and say I'm a spurs fan,,spurs are like­ hippos always wallowing around in the s*it..

    From tonynterri, on Wed 12 Nov 7:20PM

  12. the arsenal kids were magic i would pay to watch that­ class of football FANTASTIC ARSENE GOOD TEAM FOR THE­ FUTURE

    From Ken A, on Wed 12 Nov 7:05PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    the ARSE'S ARE NOT A FULL-BRITISH TEAM LIKE­ TOTTENHAM, OR MAN U! Like Chelsea THE ARSE'S HAVE­ SO MUCH FOREIGN PLAYERS!
    by the way im a prooud spurs­ supporter, ;-) come on spurssss!

    From erol, on Wed 12 Nov 6:52PM

  14. Arsenal RUllz all and i hope it will win the uefa­ champions league:D go ARSENAL

    From Ovydiu, on Wed 12 Nov 6:49PM

  15. arsenal rule I hope you do good this year plz play your­ best and be on form and well done on winning the­ emerits cup.

    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL COME ON­ ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL
    COME ON ARSENAL­ COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL COME ON ARSENAL

    From peterkemp532, on Wed 12 Nov 6:47PM

  16. in reply to doigclan : Without doubt Arsenal played­ some really impressive football , in fact to any­ supporter its a joy to watch the passing and movement­ they show but i would like to add they have been­ produceing reserve teams like this for years and they­ havent exactly won a massive amount !! your comments­ about Manutd kids of beckham scholes , nevilles , butt­ , giggs etc saying they couldnt have done or didnt do­ what arsenal did last night is a bit of a stupid­ comment after all they didnt beat wigan in a carling­ cup game they just dominated the league for 10 years­ instead !!! secondly u claim Utd wouldnt get 40,000 to­ see a carling cup game when last night 62.450 turned up­ and over 2,000 turned up to see one of last months­ reserve games , get your facts right bud. I dont like­ to hijack this thread after all it is about Arsenal and­ as i said before , fantastic football well done !

    From Eagle3777, on Wed 12 Nov 6:34PM

  17. the darlings in gunner uniform are so fine

    From Ásgeir, on Wed 12 Nov 6:27PM

  18. go gunners

    From Ásgeir, on Wed 12 Nov 6:26PM

  19. im a liverpool fan but arsenal are a serious club no­ one can match there play pure magic

    From orange2tuf, on Wed 12 Nov 5:59PM

  20. Arsenal played fantastic football yesteray and if they­ keep this u they could win fa or carling cup now i know­ most of u want a new star at the team but the thing is­ that we don't need one.what arsenal need is the­ fans to encourage them and support them and arsenal­ will be un stoppable.

    Who that team we called the­ Arenal!
    Greatest team in the world!

    come on gunners

    From rgold85, on Wed 12 Nov 5:36PM
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