Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager famed for his foreign-recruitment policy, claims the club will be regularly producing their own homegrown talent within the next five years.
Wenger has built his Arsenal dynasty around players signed from the continent, with many treading the familiar path to north London from his French homeland.
Theo Walcott, the world’s most expensive teenager, and defender Justin Hoyte are likely to be the only English-born players in the starting line-up as Arsenal bid to continue their Premiership revival at top-flight newcomers Reading on Sunday.
Wenger believes the winds of change are in the air around the Emirates Stadium.
The former Monaco and Grampus Eight manager said: ”Through the years it is true we have developed less English players than young foreign talent. It is down to one basic reason — England produces less young talent because they respond later with the development of their academies.
”We have worked really hard to develop our youth system and in the next three or four years we will produce top domestic talent because I know we have it at the club.”
Wenger will be up against two of the young English players he allowed to slip through his fingertips, in Reading midfield duo Steve Sidwell and James Harper.
Neither appeared in the Gunners’ first team before fleeing Arsenal and moving to Reading after failing to force their way past Wenger’s foreign imports.
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann says Sidwell and Harper, two of the stars of Reading’s amazing start to their first-ever Premier League season, will be determined to impress against their old club.
American international Hahnemann, released by Fulham before moving to Reading, said: ”Playing against your old club is always an extra incentive to do well because you feel you have a point to prove.
”I am really looking forward to going back to Fulham and Harps and Siddy are 100% up for this game.
”It is one of those situations where they feel they never really got the chance to show what they are capable of and I am sure that will make them raise their game. Those guys always give their all for the team, but beating Arsenal would give them added satisfaction.
”This is the one they want to win above all others and that extra motivation of playing against Arsene Wenger can only benefit us.”
Reading have already held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw and were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to champions Chelsea last weekend.
Wenger has warned his players, beaten 1-0 by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in mid-week, they cannot afford any more slip-ups after making a gradual recovery from their slow start to the season.
He added: ”Reading have surprised a few people with the start they have made and it will be a difficult game for us. I believe we can win the title this year. The challenge is massive, but the quality is there. We got away with it at the start, but we cannot afford to drop any more points.” — Sapa-AFP