How Arsenal’s Hale End academy is setting the Gunners up for success AND teeing England up for World Cup glory

ARSENAL’S Hale End academy might not just hold the keys to long-term success for the Gunners, but could also be the secret ingredient to England finally ending 60 years of hurt. The Gunners academy has long been one of the best in the country, producing players such as Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Tony Adams and Martin Keown for club and country. GettyArsenal’s Hale End academy has produced talent like Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly[/caption] GettyGoalkeeper Tommy Setford is another future star[/caption] While more recently Bukayo Saka has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for England, and a regular contender for Premier League player of the season. Now Arsenal are nurturing four new gems that could be the future of both England and Arsenal after shining on international duty over the past two weeks. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Tommy Setford have the potential to form the spine of an England team that can guide the Three Lions to their first taste of success since 1966. Lewis-Skelly became England’s youngest ever debutant goalscorer last Friday when he got on the end of a cutting Jude Bellingham pass to put England 1-0 up against Albania in the World Cup qualifiers. The 18-year-old was named Player of the Match for his eye-catching performance, and was given the nod for his second cap without hesitation by Thomas Tuchel on Monday against Latvia. Tuchel has already “fallen in love” with the youngster from watching him in training over the course of a week. He came into camp and showed straight away that it’s so normal to fall in love with him. He’s a top player. Amazing character and well deserved Thomas TuchelEngland manager While Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shown his faith in the teenager by handing him 16 starts for the first team this season – including in games against Tottenham, Man City and Man Utd. Many thought that Lewis-Skelly’s best mate Ethan Nwaneri might be called up to the England first team during the international break too, but Tuchel opted against taking a risk on the rising star. GettyMyles Lewis-Skelly scored on his senior debut for England[/caption] Lewis-Skelly put in a Player of the Match performance against Albania Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Instead Nwaneri was given his first call-up to Lee Carsley‘s U21s side, having already represented England at U16, U17 and U19 in the past. The attacking midfielder, 18, took that opportunity exactly as you would imagine – netting a goal on his full debut in a win over Portugal. It was a familiar sight, a delightful body feint to shift the ball on to his left peg and a curling effort found the corner. Arsenal fans have seen Nwaneri do that multiple times already this season, in what is becoming something of a trademark move for the teen who has eight first team goals for the Gunners this term. Lee Carsley gushed about the youngster’s debut goal, saying: “Everyone knows exactly what’s going to happen but you cannot stop it. “He took his goal so well, but what we have to keep remembering is he’s 18. It’s unbelievable.” It’s not unreasonable to think that will have been Nwaneri’s first and last goal for the England U21 side. Should he continue his form, Nwaneri could well be a mainstay in the England first team for years to come – especially given Thomas Tuchel’s displeasure at his current wingers. Another angle of Ethan Nwaneri's first goal for our U21 #YoungLions pic.twitter.com/0f32OJ6PuV— England (@England) March 25, 2025 AlamyEthan Nwaneri scored on his full debut for England U21s vs Portugal[/caption] You would have to either be living under a rock or be a Tottenham fan to have avoided the conversation around how Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri can be the future of England and Arsenal in recent weeks. But there’s a little bit less being said about 15-year-old Max Dowman even though the kid is tipped to be a world beater and has been dubbed “the next Kaka”. Dowman spent the international break with the England U17s, where he played three games and registered a goal contribution in each one – including a spectacular solo run and finish against Northern Ireland. The midfield maestro has already made history by becoming the youngest player to score in the Uefa Youth League at the age of 14 years, 8 months and 19 days this season. He regularly trains with the Arsenal first team and was even taken to Dubai for the Gunners’ mid-season training camp, where he has certainly caught the eye of Declan Rice. GettyDeclan Rice has given a glowing review of Max Dowman[/caption] GettyDowman scored a stunning solo goal for England U17s during the international break[/caption] Max Dowman’s goal for England U17s, vs Northern Ireland U17s,

Mar 26, 2025 - 16:36

How Arsenal’s Hale End academy is setting the Gunners up for success AND teeing England up for World Cup glory

ARSENAL’S Hale End academy might not just hold the keys to long-term success for the Gunners, but could also be the secret ingredient to England finally ending 60 years of hurt.

The Gunners academy has long been one of the best in the country, producing players such as Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Tony Adams and Martin Keown for club and country.

Three Arsenal youth players on stationary bikes during training.

Arsenal’s Hale End academy has produced talent like Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly[/caption]

Arsenal goalkeeper Tommy Setford celebrates a goal.

Goalkeeper Tommy Setford is another future star[/caption]

While more recently Bukayo Saka has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for England, and a regular contender for Premier League player of the season.

Now Arsenal are nurturing four new gems that could be the future of both England and Arsenal after shining on international duty over the past two weeks.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Tommy Setford have the potential to form the spine of an England team that can guide the Three Lions to their first taste of success since 1966.

Lewis-Skelly became England’s youngest ever debutant goalscorer last Friday when he got on the end of a cutting Jude Bellingham pass to put England 1-0 up against Albania in the World Cup qualifiers.

The 18-year-old was named Player of the Match for his eye-catching performance, and was given the nod for his second cap without hesitation by Thomas Tuchel on Monday against Latvia.

Tuchel has already “fallen in love” with the youngster from watching him in training over the course of a week.

He came into camp and showed straight away that it’s so normal to fall in love with him. He’s a top player. Amazing character and well deserved Thomas TuchelEngland manager

While Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shown his faith in the teenager by handing him 16 starts for the first team this season – including in games against Tottenham, Man City and Man Utd.

Many thought that Lewis-Skelly’s best mate Ethan Nwaneri might be called up to the England first team during the international break too, but Tuchel opted against taking a risk on the rising star.

England's Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates scoring a goal.

Myles Lewis-Skelly scored on his senior debut for England[/caption]

Myles Lewis-Skelly's stats vs. Albania: 87 touches, 74 passes, 3 duels won, 0 dispossessed, 1 goal, 89 mins played. — Lewis-Skelly put in a Player of the Match performance against Albania

Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates

Instead Nwaneri was given his first call-up to Lee Carsley‘s U21s side, having already represented England at U16, U17 and U19 in the past.

The attacking midfielder, 18, took that opportunity exactly as you would imagine – netting a goal on his full debut in a win over Portugal.

It was a familiar sight, a delightful body feint to shift the ball on to his left peg and a curling effort found the corner.

Arsenal fans have seen Nwaneri do that multiple times already this season, in what is becoming something of a trademark move for the teen who has eight first team goals for the Gunners this term.

Lee Carsley gushed about the youngster’s debut goal, saying: “Everyone knows exactly what’s going to happen but you cannot stop it.

“He took his goal so well, but what we have to keep remembering is he’s 18. It’s unbelievable.”

It’s not unreasonable to think that will have been Nwaneri’s first and last goal for the England U21 side.

Should he continue his form, Nwaneri could well be a mainstay in the England first team for years to come – especially given Thomas Tuchel’s displeasure at his current wingers.