Hale End, Arsenal’s renowned youth academy located in London, has been the foundation for developing some of the club’s most talented players. Since Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, the academy has become increasingly important in providing homegrown talent capable of contributing at the highest level.
Graduates from Hale End have not only filled key roles on the pitch for the club but have also helped shape the team’s style of play and strengthened the club’s identity. While not every Hale End graduate has made a lasting impact at Arsenal itself, many have gone on to succeed at clubs around the world, highlighting the quality of the academy and reinforcing its reputation as one of England’s most crucial youth development hubs.
This XI highlights the academy graduates whose impact during the Emirates era has been most significant, focusing on measurable contributions such as appearances, influence on team success, and broader cultural and financial implications for the club.
Goalkeeper- Emiliano Martinez
While global fans may not remember Martinez for his time at Arsenal, Arsenal supporters will likely cherish their memories of his stint at the club. The Argentine international spent two years before his loan to Oxford United, during which he made only one appearance. It wasn't until September 2012 that Martinez made his debut, with his first appearance coming in a 6-1 victory against Coventry in the League Cup.
Despite several fringe appearances over the years, including numerous loan moves to domestic and international clubs, it wasn't until 2020 that he broke into the first-team squad, seven years after his arrival. An injury to Bernd Leno saw Martinez become the starting goalkeeper for the remainder of the season, making 9 Premier League appearances and 14 starts across all cup competitions. His highlight came in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, where he made two crucial saves to help Arsenal win the trophy, earning a cult following at the club after starting six games in the competition.
His success continued as he featured in the Community Shield and helped Arsenal win the match with several vital saves towards the end, securing penalties and contributing to the club's 15th Community Shield victory. However, his stint as the starting goalkeeper was brief, as limited playing time ultimately led to Aston Villa swooping in with a £20 million bid to sign the 28-year-old. Undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers to come through the club's ranks, his sale generated pure profit for the club, and his vital contributions brought success to the team. As a long-serving figure at Arsenal, Martinez departed on a high note, having helped the club lift silverware while establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country.
Left Back- Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs joined the club in 2007 as an 18-year-old from Wimbledon, and it wasn't until a season later that the left-back made his first appearance for the club. Having been with the club for ten years, Gibbs was a staple and broke into the starting eleven in the 2011-2012 season, stepping up to replace Gaël Clichy. Most importantly, Gibbs was part of the 2014 FA Cup final-winning team that beat Hull City, cementing himself in the club's history by winning their first trophy in nine years, and their first in the Emirates era. He subsequently started the Community Shield match against Manchester City in the 2014-15 season; despite receiving less game time during that season, he was again part of the 2015 FA Cup final-winning team and the 2015 Community Shield.
His last season with the club was 2016-17, during which he captained the team for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the left-back. Having played 137 games and lifted six trophies with the team, Gibbs remains an integral part of the Emirates era and will be remembered as a significant Hale End graduate.
Centre Back- Kyle Bartley
Since the Emirates era, Hale End has not been widely recognised for producing standout central defenders. While no academy graduate has consistently broken into Arsenal’s senior squad in that position, a few have the distinction of playing in a Champions League match for the club. Kyle Bartley is one such player. Although he made only one senior appearance, a Champions League defeat against Olympiacos in 2009, he nonetheless achieved the milestone of representing Arsenal at the highest level.
As the reserve team captain, he was part of the squad that won both the Premier Academy League and the FA Youth Cup in 2009. While he may not have carved out a lasting career at Arsenal, playing at both youth and senior levels remains a significant achievement, reflecting his development through the Hale End academy.
Centre Back- Ignasi Miquel
Few Hale End graduates have left a lasting mark in central defence for Arsenal, and Ignasi Miquel serves as a prime example. Although mainly playing as a left-back, the Spaniard also featured at centre-back on several occasions. Miquel is a name many Arsenal fans tend to forget, despite making five senior appearances during his four-year spell with the first team. He made his senior debut in 2011 against Leyton Orient and later played in the Champions League against Olympiacos that year.
Although his opportunities were limited, Miquel’s versatility and ability to perform in multiple defensive roles demonstrate the talent nurtured through Hale End, even if not all graduates go on to secure long-term first-team roles.
Right Back- Héctor Bellerín
A fan favourite during his 11-year tenure, Héctor Bellerín stands out as one of Hale End’s most successful defensive graduates. He made his debut in the 2014–15 season following a series of injuries to first-team players, demonstrating how the academy can provide ready talent when the squad is under pressure. The young right-back quickly established himself as a regular in the first team, culminating in a starting role in the 2015 FA Cup Final victory. Bellerín’s performances earned him a place as the only Arsenal player in the 2015–16 PFA Team of the Year, underscoring his immediate impact.
Over the following years, he helped the club win several domestic trophies, showing how Hale End graduates can step in and sustain team success. However, a series of injuries, including a severe ACL tear in 2018, disrupted his development. Despite these setbacks, he was chosen to start in the 2020 FA Cup Final against Chelsea, winning his third FA Cup medal and cementing his reputation as a cult hero.
Bellerín’s journey exemplifies how Hale End supplies Arsenal with players who can step up during injury crises, maintain squad depth, and make significant contributions to trophy pursuits. After falling out of favour under manager Mikel Arteta, he eventually left the club, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, talent, and loyalty that had been nurtured through the academy.
Central Midfielder- Jack Wilshere
Perhaps the most renowned Hale End product of the Emirates era, Jack Wilshere’s story is both iconic and bittersweet. Fast-tracked into the first-team squad because of his exceptional natural ability, he made his Arsenal debut at just 16 years and 256 days old, becoming the club’s youngest-ever league debutant at the time. Two years later, he had established himself as a regular, making 49 appearances across all competitions during the 2010–11 season.
No performance was more memorable than his masterclass against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League Round of 16, where he outshone legends such as Xavi and Iniesta in a 2–1 victory at the Emirates. That night announced Wilshere to the footballing world and remains one of the defining performances by an Arsenal player in the club’s history at the Emirates Stadium.
Unfortunately, injuries disrupted his progress, and despite loan spells, most notably at Bournemouth, Wilshere was never able to reach the heights he had achieved early on consistently. Nonetheless, he made 125 senior appearances for Arsenal, later returning as a youth coach, emphasising his enduring connection to the club. Wilshere’s intelligence, movement, vision, and passing range made him a fan favourite and one of the most technically gifted players ever produced by the Hale End academy. Many believe that, had he not suffered persistent injuries, he could have gone on to dominate world football.
Central Midfielder- Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Joining Arsenal at the age of six, Ainsley Maitland-Niles advanced through the Hale End ranks and made his professional debut at just 17 years and 102 days old. Known for his composure from the penalty spot and his exceptional versatility, Maitland-Niles is perhaps best remembered for his performances at right-back. However, his adaptability also enabled him to feature in central midfield, where his defending and passing range were on display.
After a series of loan spells and rotation opportunities, Maitland-Niles became a regular figure in Arsène Wenger’s final season, establishing himself as a valuable squad member. His defining moment came in the 2020 FA Cup Final against Chelsea, where he started and helped Arsenal secure their 14th FA Cup. A few weeks later, he was named Man of the Match in the Community Shield victory over Liverpool, emphasising his big-game credentials.
Though he later struggled to secure a consistent place under Mikel Arteta, eventually leaving on loan and then permanently, Maitland-Niles still finished his Arsenal career with four trophies. While never the most flamboyant player, his story reflects Hale End’s ability to produce versatile, talented footballers capable of stepping up when the team requires them most.
Right Winger- Bukayo Saka
The latest addition to this XI, Bukayo Saka, is widely regarded not only as one of the best Hale End graduates of the Emirates era but also as one of the finest academy players in Arsenal’s history. He joined the club at a young age and steadily progressed through Hale End, initially playing at left-back. This role enabled him to break into the first team and demonstrate that opportunities can arise from anywhere, a path mirrored by other young talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Saka’s development was rapid. He became a regular starter, impressing with his versatility, creativity, and consistency. His performances earned him consecutive Arsenal Player of the Season awards in 2020–21 and 2021–22, and he quickly established himself as an England international and global star, admired by fans and players around the world. Along the way, he has already won three trophies with Arsenal and even captained the team, showcasing the leadership qualities and maturity that Hale End can nurture in its graduates.
Beyond individual honours, Saka has been key in Arsenal’s resurgence, leading the charge in their pursuit of a first league title in decades. His rise also highlights the cultural impact of Hale End graduates, demonstrating how the academy can produce players who not only shine on the pitch but also inspire worldwide. Saka’s journey reflects the academy’s ability to recognise talent, develop versatile players, and create stars who shape the club’s present and future, setting the benchmark for generations to come.
Attacking Midfielder- Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at a young age and steadily progressed through the youth ranks. He broke into the first team in the 2019–20 season, quickly establishing himself as a key creative force. In the following season, 2020–21, he led Arsenal’s revival alongside Bukayo Saka, with his performances earning him the nickname the “Croydon De Bruyne” and transforming him into a cultural icon for a new generation of Arsenal supporters.
Smith Rowe was awarded the number 10 shirt, a symbolic gesture reflecting the club’s faith in its academy graduates. That season, he scored in double figures, becoming the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fàbregas in 2009–10 to reach double digits in a league campaign, a vital contribution that helped Arsenal return to European competition. His rise also helped pave the way for modern academy players, demonstrating that Hale End talent could make an immediate impact on the first team and become central to the club’s identity.
Persistent injuries later restricted his opportunities, and he was eventually sold to Fulham for around £34 million, showcasing not only his on-field impact but also how Hale End can generate significant financial returns for the club. During his time at Arsenal, Smith Rowe made over 100 first-team appearances, cementing his status as one of the academy’s standout graduates and a role model for future talents.
Left Winger- Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at a young age, progressing steadily through the youth ranks before making his first-team debut in 2015. He quickly displayed his technical skill, pace, and creativity, often playing on the left wing or in attacking midfield, becoming a versatile option for the senior squad.
During his time at Arsenal, Iwobi made 100 appearances, contributing goals and assists in both domestic and European matches. He was part of the squad that won the 2017 FA Cup and reached the 2019 Europa League final, playing a supportive yet influential role in the club’s successes during the Emirates era.
Iwobi’s development highlights Hale End’s ability to produce players who can make meaningful contributions at the first-team level, even if they are not always the standout stars. While he eventually left Arsenal in 2019 for a £28 million transfer to Everton, his career demonstrates both the sporting and financial value that academy graduates can bring to the club. His journey exemplifies how Hale End prepares players to step up when needed, contribute to team success, and establish themselves professionally, whether at Arsenal or beyond.
Striker- Chuba Akpom
Although he didn’t make a significant impact in Arsenal’s first team, Chuba Akpom joined the club at the age of six and exemplifies how Hale End rewards loyalty, talent, and hard work. From a young age, he was highly regarded in the academy for his technical ability, movement, and finishing, often standing out in youth competitions. Breaking through as a striker at Arsenal is notoriously tough, with few academy forwards making the step up. Still, Akpom’s dedication and professionalism demonstrated what Hale End can nurture in its players.
He made a few first-team appearances and gained valuable experience through loan spells, which helped him develop into a confident professional. While he ultimately found more success away from the Emirates, his journey shows that Hale End not only produces stars for Arsenal but also prepares players to forge successful careers elsewhere. Akpom’s story serves as a reminder that the academy isn’t just about instant impact, but rather about instilling work ethic, discipline, and football intelligence that can benefit players long after they leave the club.
