Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has explained how the Gunners reputation for nurturing young talent helps in attracting up and coming players. "Most of the time it is (down to) the first contact," Wenger told the club's official website. "The player thinks 'he wanted me first'. That develops a kind of trust and confidence.
"In Arsenal's case it is also our history. When we say to a player 'we believe in you, we think you are good enough. Look at our midfield, the oldest one is 21' the parents believe us. They know they will get a chance."
Wenger has a long reputation for bringing in talented young players from home and abroad.
"I spoke to a friend of mine who is a coach in Tours in France," he said. "They are in the second division but he told me when they play at home they have on average 15 to 20 foreign scouts, clubs from all over Europe, it's unbelievable.
"If that is in the second division in France then it means the scouts are everywhere. There is nowhere where you can be the only one on the ball. You could maybe be the first one on the ball but not the only one."