It was a stream like no other and something that could have been aired on Judge Judy. Bailey Keogh and Chris Davison teamed up to represent Arsenal, while Anita Abayomi and Jai Mcintosh made up team Chelsea. Here were their thoughts on both club’s academy setups.
Hale End vs Cobham - Whose academy is better?
Chris Davison (Arsenal): “Let me just go through some names, which might help with the persuasion here. The likes of Tony Adams, the Arsenal legend has his own statue outside the Emirates. Ashley Cole, Martin Keown, and Ray Parlour. Bukayo Saka, who’s become a nationwide sensation after the Euro’s - a big talent. There have been so many names at Hale End, and the continuous talent coming through the ranks is fantastic.”
“Previously and currently so many names that gave everything at Arsenal and gave the club success. We’re lucky to have such a great academy set up. Although I will admit Chelsea does have a strong academy as well, I’m sure you’ll reel through some names. They are talented. But for me, Arsenal’s academy is strong, one of the strongest in the UK and maybe even in the world.
Jai Mcintosh (Chelsea): “The list you read out hit my tongue like unseasoned food. When I think about the names you’ve listed.”
Anita Abayomi (Chelsea): “No disrespect but I’m hearing about names from back in the day. Fine, let me name Ray Wilkins then, John Terry. We’re talking about presently and the players that have made it into the first team. We’re talking about Tammy Abraham, Reece James - these are Champions League winners.
“They came into the first team, stood their ground - we had a transfer ban which allowed them to showcase their talent. People say we were forced into using youth players because of the ban. But a lot of them are in the first-team right now and they’ve won the Champions League. Can your academy players say they’ve won the Champions League with Arsenal?”
Bailey Keogh (Arsenal): “You’re right we haven’t won the Champions League. But, if we had the supporting cast like your youth team players had, we would have won the Champions League. Last summer you spent a whole lot of money on a whole lot of quality. Our players have had to come through and take the lead to try and get them up. So, Saka has had to carry the team on his back.
To watch the rest of the conversation unfold you can catch the stream ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea on Sunday by clicking here.
Whose academy do you think is better - Arsenal’s or Chelsea’s? Follow our new Fan Brands team members Anita, Jai, Chris, Bailey, and Renuka on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
