Earlier this month 16-year-old Yousouffa Moukoko became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history with his strike in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 loss to Union Berlin.
The striker's development is testament to a disciplined policy of youth promotion that has seen Erling Haaland, Christian Pulisic, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembele and Gio Reyna among many others come through at the Westfalenstadion.
Perhaps the biggest success story of all is that of Jadon Sancho. The 20-year-old made the move to Germany in 2017 after failing to break through at Manchester City and is now one of the hottest talents in world football.
In summation of the club's ideology, legendary Borussia Dortmund midfielder Lars Ricken, who is now the club's head of youth, described it as "a clear and obvious strategy not to buy superstars but to create them."
These words may well ring a bell to some Arsenal fans. They are reminiscent of a now infamous Arsene Wenger quote from nearly 15 years ago.
When asked what the Gunners' transfer plans would be in the summer of 2007 the Frenchman simply responded “we don’t sign superstars, we make them.”
It was an attitude that would go on to define Arsenal's approach to squad building over the next five or so years as sides containing Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere consistently challenged for Premier League titles and went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's famed Barcelona side of the time.
However, as the financial burden of a relocation to the Emirates Stadium began to ease, the Gunners began bringing in more established stars to the detriment of their young talents. Serge Gnabry, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Donyell Malen, Ismael Bennacer and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were among the many gifted prodigies to slip through Arsenal's fingers before going on to succeed elsewhere.
At times this season it has looked as though the mid-Wenger era glory days of youth promotion are back in North London.
Youngsters like Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah are among the names to have made their mark in the Europa League this season.
However, when it comes to the bigger games Mikel Arteta has tended to stick with his more experienced squad members. Willian, David Luiz, Granit Xhaka and Alex Lacazette have seemed undroppable at times despite consistently below par displays.
It is here that Arsenal differ strongly with Borussia Dortmund.
The Germans are not afraid to add experienced faces to their squad where they see fit. The recent acquisitions of Emre Can and Mats Hummels are testament to this. But when these senior pros arrive at the Westfalenstadion, they do so in the knowledge that a younger player will have their starting spot if performance levels start to drop.
The promotion of Jadon Sancho into the first team is proof of this.
When the winger arrived in the summer of 2017, Andre Schurrle was the established right winger, having won the World Cup just three years before, and claimed a Premier League winner's medal with Chelsea. But as the German's form floundered - he managed just three goals and six assists in 26 appearances that campaign - Sancho was integrated into the first team.
By the beginning of next season Schurrle was bombed out on loan to Fulham and Dortmund put their faith in Sancho, who was just 18 at the time, to become a regular starter in their team.
In the time since the England international has gone on to establish himself as one of the best players in world football, with 90 goal involvements in 117 appearances. Meanwhile his childhood friend Reiss Nelson is struggling to even make Mikel Arteta's matchday squads at the moment.
Against Chelsea, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all proved they are ready to be trusted on the biggest stage.
Promoting youth is a policy that has helped sustain Borussia Dortmund as one of Europe's top sides for the past few years now. As Arsenal look to get back that level they would be wise to adopt the same strategy.
