What Academy Football Was Like for Me at Arsenal and West Ham
I spent part of my development at Arsenal and part at West Ham. Both were major football environments, yet they felt different to me as a young player. In my video, I explain what academy life looked like from the inside, beyond the badge on the training kit.
I came through a youth team in west London before being scouted and going through trials. Once I joined Arsenal, football took on a different rhythm. Training shaped my days after school, and the quality of the players around me raised the level of every session. Some children had long journeys across London just to get there.
The pressure inside an academy
Playing with strong teammates helped me improve, but the competition did not stand still. Each year, players developed at different rates and new players arrived. I remember an environment where opinions about young footballers could change quickly. Parents and players felt the pressure of selection too.
That is why I think young players need more than a place in a squad. They need good coaching, honest support and room to enjoy the game while they develop. Being signed early does not settle what kind of player you will become.
A different experience at West Ham
Moving to West Ham showed me how different two academies could be. I noticed differences in the facilities and the daily routine. On the pitch, West Ham's approach felt closer to the practical demands I expected to meet in senior football, while I associated Arsenal with a strong emphasis on playing the ball on the ground.
These are my memories of the clubs at the time I was there, not a judgement on every player or every age group. Both settings taught me something. Arsenal exposed me to a high technical standard and constant competition. West Ham showed me another way to prepare for the game beyond academy football.
A famous badge can give a young player a head start, but it cannot define their whole career. What matters is how they develop, adapt and use their chance when senior football arrives.
Watch the full video on YouTube.
