• Find the latest Arsenal player ratings on every Premier League fixture

• Who was Man of the Match in Arsenal’s last game? Find out here!

• We calculate the Arsenal average player ratings for the entire 2021/22 season

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If you’re looking for Arsenal player ratings on every Gunners game this season, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we collect player ratings for every Arsenal match – giving supporters the chance to follow which players are hot and who is not!

Not only can player ratings help with football betting on Arsenal matches but also, Gunners fans can see the latest Man of the Match awards and performance history.

In addition, we provide Arsenal average player rating figures for this season – taking every match rating and forming the best collection of Arsenal player scores on the internet.

From the best Arsenal goalkeepers to the top performing young players, we provide Arsenal vs opponent ratings for every single Premier League match.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out our Arsenal player ratings guide below to see which Gunners stars are performing well and who should make the sub bench.

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Arsenal Player Ratings vs Everton

Find our Everton vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 6th December 2021 below:

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Man United

Find our Man United vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 2nd December 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 6

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

• Ben White - 6

• Gabriel - 6

• Nuno Tavares - 6

• Thomas Partey - 5

• Mohamed Elneny - 6

• Gabriel Martinelli - 7

• Martin Odegaard - 6

• Emile Smith Rowe - 7

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Newcastle United

Find our Arsenal vs Newcastle player ratings for the Premier League match on 27th November 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 7

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 8

• Ben White - 7

• Gabriel - 7

• Nuno Tavares - 8

• Thomas Partey - 6

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 8

• Bukayo Saka - 8

• Martin Odegaard - 6

• Emile Smith Rowe - 6

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Find our Liverpool vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 20th November 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 7

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 4

• Ben White - 5

• Gabriel - 5

• Nuno Tavares - 4

• Thomas Partey - 5

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 4

• Bukayo Saka - 5

• Alexandre Lacazette - 5

• Emile Smith Rowe - 5

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Watford

Find our Arsenal vs Watford player ratings for the Premier League match on 7th November 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale – 6

• Takehiro Tomiyasu – 7

• Ben White – 8

• Gabriel– 7

• Nuno Tavares - 7

• Bukayo Saka - 7

• Ainsley Maitland-Niles 7

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 5

• Emile Smith Rowe – 7

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4

• Alexandre Lacazette - 6

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Leicester City

Find our Leicester vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 30th October 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 8

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 6

• Ben White - 7

• Gabriel - 9

• Nuno Tavares - 7

• Thomas Partey - 6

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 6

• Bukayo Saka - 7

• Alexandre Lacazette - 6

• Emile Smith Rowe - 7

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Find our Arsenal vs Aston Villa player ratings for the Premier League match on 222nd October 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 6

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 6

• Ben White - 7

• Gabriel - 6

• Nuno Tavares - 8

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 6

• Thomas Partey - 7

• Bukayo Saka - 6

• Alexandre Lacazette - 9

• Emile Smith Rowe - 8

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang -  7

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Crystal Palace

Find our Arsenal vs Crystal Palace player ratings for the Premier League match on 18th October 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale – 7

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

• Ben White – 8

• Gabriel – 6

• Kieran Tierney - 5

• Thomas Partey - 4

• Martin Odegaard - 4

• Emile Smith Rowe – 6

• Nicolas Pepe – 4

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7

• Bukayo Saka – 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brighton

Find our Brighton vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 2nd October 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 7

• Kieran Tierney - 6

• Gabriel - 7

• Ben White - 7

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 7

• Thomas Partey - 7

• Emile Smith Rowe - 7

• Martin Odegaard - 6

• Bukayo Saka - 6

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Tottenham

Find our Arsenal vs Tottenham player ratings for the Premier League match on 26th September 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 7

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 8

• Ben White - 8

• Gabriel - 7

• Kieran Tierney - 7

• Thomas Partey - 7

• Granit Xhaka -  6

• Bukayo Saka -  8

• Martin Odegaard - 8

• Emile Smith Rowe -  9

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 9

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Burnley

Find our Burnley vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 18th September 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 6

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

• Ben White - 5

• Gabriel - 8

• Kieran Tierney - 6

• Thomas Partey - 8

• Martin Odegaard - 7

• Emile Smith Rowe - 6

• Nicolas Pepe - 6

• Bukayo Saka - 6

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Norwich

Find our Arsenal vs Norwich player ratings for the Premier League match on 11th September 2021 below:

• Aaron Ramsdale - 6

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 7

• Ben White - 8

• Gabriel - 7

• Kieran Tierney - 7

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 8

• Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 5

• Nicolas Pepe - 8

• Martin Odegaard - 7

• Bukayo Saka - 7

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Man City

Find our Man City vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 28th August 2021 below:

• Bernd Leno - 4

• Calum Chambers - 3

• Rob Holding - 3

• Sead Kolasinac - 3

• Cedric - 3

• Granit Xhaka - 2

• Martin Odegaard - 5

• Kieran Tierney - 4

• Bukayo Saka - 4

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 3

• Emile Smith Rowe - 4

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Chelsea

Find our Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings for the Premier League match on 22nd August 2021 below:

• Bernd Leno - 8

• Kieran Tierney - 5

• Pablo Mari - 2

• Rob Holding - 4

• Cedric Soares - 2

• Granit Xhaka - 3

• Sambi Lokonga - 6

• Bukayo Saka - 5

• Nicolas Pepe - 4

• Emile Smith Rowe - 8

• Gabriel Martinelli - 4

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford

Find our Brentford vs Arsenal player ratings for the Premier League match on 13th August 2021 below:

• Bernd Leno - 4

• Calum Chambers - 4

• Ben White - 5

• Pablo Mari - 4

• Kieran Tierney - 6

• Albert Sambi Lokonga - 5

• Granit Xhaka - 5

• Nicolas Pepe - 6

• Emile Smith Rowe - 7

• Gabriel Martinelli - 5

• Folarin Balogun - 6

Arsenal Average Player Ratings

Not only do we provide Arsenal player match ratings for every Premier League fixture but we have can also help fans to calculate the average player rating for every Gunners player.

For the purposes of calculating an average Arsenal player rating in 2021/22, we take the recorded scores for each fixture and divide by the total number of games played.

It is important to remember that some players have missed games through injury but this Arsenal average player rating calculator can hopefully shine some light on the best Arsenal players this season.

Arsenal Man of the Match Awards

We have produced this list of Man of the Match awards from our collection of Arsenal player ratings throughout the 2021/22 season.

These players have had a positive impact for the Gunners in Premier League predictions for certain matches but who has been voted MOTM the most times?

Follow our player ratings for Arsenal in the coming months and see who ranks as the best performing Gunner for each league fixture.

• Ben White - 3

• Takehiro Tomiyasu - 2

• Emile Smith Rowe - 1

• Aaron Ramsdale - 1

• Bernd Leno - 1

• Martin Odegaard - 1

• Thomas Partey - 1

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 1

• Alexandre Lacazette - 1

• Gabriel - 1

• Gabriel Martinelli - 1

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

• Arsenal have had 20 permanent managers since the club’s inaugural appointment in 1897

• George Graham and Arsene Wenger are the two most successful Arsenal managers in terms of trophies

• Who will take over from Mikel Arteta in the Emirates hotseat?

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Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in English football. A domestic powerhouse for almost a century, the Gunners have won 13 top flight titles and a record 14 FA Cup triumphs.

Modern fans will know about Arsene Wenger’s impact at the club, with the north London side going toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson in Premier League Odds odds for many years.

While Manchester United came out on top in terms of titles, Wenger’s brand of football helped to revolutionise the beautiful game – not just in England but around the world.

However, Arsenal owe plenty to some of the managers long before Wenger’s time. Here, we look at the Arsenal manager history and how each coach has influenced the club.

Since Wenger’s tenure, the club have struggled to build momentum. In fact, Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus has witnessed Unai Emery, Freddie Ljungberg and now Mikel Arteta at the helm.

Despite a shaky start, Mikel Arteta seems to have won the fans over. How long will that last? Only time will tell. Now, let’s get started with the full Arsenal manager history…

List Of Arsenal Managers:

With the club founded back in 1886, Arsenal have had a long list of managers in the Gunners hotseat throughout their illustrious 135-year history.

The most famous Arsenal manager is Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman was at the helm for over 20 years and led the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup victories.

In addition, he was the mastermind behind Arsenal’s Invincibles season and he steadied the ship following the club’s emotional move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

Here, we look back at the history of the Arsenal manager role – starting with Leslie Knighton who arrived at the club following the First World War.

• Leslie Knighton – May 1919 to May 1925

• Herbert Chapman – June 1925 to January 1934

• Joe Shaw (caretaker) – January 1934 to May 1934

• George Allison – May 1934 to May 1947

• Tom Whittaker – June 1947 to October 1956

• Jack Crayston – October 1956 to May 1958

• George Swindin – June 1958 to May 1962

• Billy Wright – May 1962 to June 1966

• Bertie Mee – June 1966 to May 1976

• Terry Neil – June 1976 to December 1983

• Don Howe – December 1983 to March 1986

• Steve Burtenshaw (caretaker) – March 1986 to May 1986

• George Graham – May 1986 to February 1995

• Stewart Houston (caretaker) – February 1995 to June 1995

• Bruce Rioch – June 1995 to August 1996

• Stewart Houston (caretaker) – August 1996 to September 1996

• Pat Rice (caretaker) – September 1996 to September 1996

• Arsene Wenger – October 1996 to May 2018

• Unai Emery – May 2018 to November 2019

• Freddie Ljungberg (caretaker) – November 2019 to December 2019

• Mikel Arteta – December 2019 to present

Greatest Arsenal Managers

There are plenty of competent coaches on the Arsenal manager list but which men will be remembered for taking the Gunners to new heights?

We look at the managers who defied football odds to lead Arsenal to the top, with a quick mention to two candidates who can feel a little hard done by…

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

• The average UFC fighter made around $150,000 in 2020, with the average wage soaring in recent years

• Some of the highest paid UFC fighters are earning seven figure salaries for PPV bouts

• UFC legend Conor McGregor has made around $15 million in fight purses throughout his MMA career

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The amount of money involved in mixed martial arts is staggering. UFC is now one of the most popular sports on the planet, with millions of fans tuning in for the top fights.

Plenty of MMA enthusiasts enjoy betting on the UFC and, like boxing, the social aspect of the sport is a huge draw for passionate aficionados and casual fight fans.

The best UFC fighters can make huge sums of money, with the likes of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov commanding lucrative contracts for pay-per-view bouts.

In fact, the average UFC fighter made around $150,000 in 2020. That is a staggering figure given the national average wage was $56,000 – there is certainly money to be made in mixed martial arts.

The third instalment of the McGregor vs Poirier series attracted a huge number of PPV buy-ins in July 2021, with an estimated $3 million purchase agreed for ‘Notorious’.

Nearly 40% of UFC fighters earned a six figure salary last year, with Khabib adding around $6.1 million to his wealth – and that’s before you include PPV bonuses!

How Much Do UFC Fighters Earn?

First and foremost, it is important to note that every fighter signs a contract with the UFC and each competitor is paid a fixed amount each time they enter the Octagon.

As a general estimate, there are three categories of UFC pay-out depending on the size of the fight. Here are how UFC purse earnings are often agreed:

• Low tier UFC fighters: $10,000 - $30,000 per fight

• Middle tier UFC fighters: $80,000 - $250,000 per fight

• Top tier UFC fighters: $500,000 - $3,000,000 per fight

If you’re into online betting, chances are you’ll have had a general idea of the lucrative UFC contracts for the biggest fights but some of these figures will blow you away.

To feature on the highest paid UFC fighter list, you almost certainly need to headline PPV cards throughout your career – as you’ll see from the standings below:

Highest UFC Career Earnings:

1. Conor McGregor - $15,082,000

2. Alistair Overeem - $9,569,500

3. Khabib Nurmagomedov: $8,680,200

4. Anderson Silva: $8,112,000

5. Michael Bisping: $7,135,000

6. Georges St-Pierre: $7,037,000

7. Jon Jones: $7,025,000

8. Mark Hunt: $6,304,000

9. Donald Cerrone: $6,155,000

10. Junior dos Santos: $5,970,000

With UFC hitting new heights in recent times, it is hardly a huge shock to see the increased investment in the sport and the annual UFC salary is rising at a rapid rate of knots.

Here, we look at the highest paid UFC fighters and MMA career earnings for some of the top fighters in the sport. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down to find out more…

First run in 1965, initially as a handicap and then obtaining Grade One status in 1990, the race takes its name from the famous tree-lined avenue in Windsor Great Park and is run in December over a trip of three miles and about half a furlong.

The Long Walk is steeped in history and is one of the best races of the season in the staying hurdle division for horses ultimately on their way to the Cheltenham Festival.

A key trial for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Festival each season, just six horses have won both races in the same season, the most recent being the Emma Lavelle-trained Paisley Park.

The most prolific winner was undoubtedly the French-trained Baracouda. François Doumen’s dual champion stayer won a record four renewals between 2000 and 2004, with his final victory coming at Windsor rather than Ascot Racecourse when the Long Walk was rerouted there during the multimillion pound redevelopment of the site.

Another particularly distinguished name on the race’s roll of honour is that of Big Buck’s. Paul Nicholls trained him to win three renewals of this prize (2009-2011) as well as an unprecedented four editions of the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Big Bucks, the Long Walk Hurdle and the Stayers’ were all intrinsically linked for many a season. The top three quickest times clocked for this race over that last 20 years are:

• 2016 - Unowhatimeanharry (5:54.30)

• 2005 - My Way De Solzen (5:55.60)

• 2007 - Lough Derg (5:57.30)

The slowest time recorded in the last 20 years just happens to be Baracouda (6:51.70) in 2004.

Long Walk Hurdle Winners

• 2020 - (6:15.93) Paisley Park 8-y-o 11-7 9/4 (Aidan Coleman/Emma Lavelle)

• 2019 - (6:20.44) The Worlds End 8-y-o 11-7 15/8F (Adrian Heskin/Tom George)

• 2018 - (6:03.70) Paisley Park 6-y-o 11-7 8/1 (Aidan Coleman/Emma Lavelle)

• 2017 - (6:02.90) Sam Spinner 5-y-o 11-7 9/2 (Joe Colliver/Jedd O'Keeffe)

• 2016 - (5:54.30) Unowhatimeanharry 8-y-o 11-7 6/5F (Barry Geraghty/Harry Fry)

• 2015 - (6:05.30) Thistlecrack 7-y-o 11-7 2/1F (Tom Scudamore/Colin Tizzard)

• 2014 - (6:08.00) Reve De Sivola 9-y-o 11-7 13/2 (Daryl Jacob/Nick Williams)

• 2013 - (6:17.60) Reve De Sivola 8-y-o 11-7 9/4 (Richard Johnson/Nick Williams)

• 2012 - (6:38.00) Reve De Sivola 7-y-o 11-7 9/2 (Richard Johnson/Nick Williams)

• 2011 - (6:05.80) Big Bucks 8-y-o 11-7 30/100F (Ruby Walsh/Paul Nicholls)

Long Walk Statistics

• Age: 9 of the last 10 winners were aged between 6 and 8. Reve De Sivola was a 9-y-o when he won this third and final Long Walk in 2014.

• Price: 4 of the last 10 favourites have won, 9/10 winners came from the top three in the betting.

• Last Run: 7 of the last 10 winners won on their last run before the Long Walk Hurdle, 10/10 winners ran within the last 32 days, 9/10 winners ran in the Long Distance Hurdle (Newbury) on their last run, 5 of the 9 won, 2 placed.

• Previous Course Form: 6/10 winners had at least one previous run at Ascot, 4/10 winners had at least one previous win at Ascot.

• Previous Distance Form: 10/10 winners had at least 3 previous runs over 3 miles, 10/10 had at least one previous win over 3 miles.

• Previous Hurdle Form: 10/10 winners had at least 7 runs over hurdles, 10/10 winners had at least 3 wins over hurdles, 8/10 winners had at least 4 wins over hurdles.

• Rating: 8/10 winners were rated 152 or higher.

• Grade 1 Wins: 10/10 winners had at least one previous win in a Grade 1 race.

• Season Form: 10/10 winners had at least one run that season, 10/10 winners had at least one win that season.

Leading Trainers

The honours are even in the Long Walk Hurdle over the last 20 renewals with both Paul Nicholls and Nick Williams sharing the most victories with three wins apiece. 

The Paul Nicholls winners were with Big Bucks (2009, 2010, and 2011), while Nick Williams’ winners were with Reve De Sivola (2012, 2013 and 2014).

The only other trainer to have notched up multiple wins in the Long Walk Hurdle is Emma Lavelle (2 wins- Paisley Park).

Leading Jockeys

The leading jockey in the Long Walk Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Richard Johnson who won the race three times in his illustrious career.

Those three victories came from Mighty Man (2006) and Reve De Sivola (2012 and 2013).

Other jockeys who have recorded multiple wins in the Long Walk Hurdle are Tom Scudamore (2 wins) & Aidan Coleman (2 wins).

Cold list jockeys with no wins in this race include Sam Twiston-Davies (5 rides), Paddy Brennan (5 rides) and Nico De Boinville (3 rides).

Long Walk 'Trial' Races

There have been a number of multiple winners of this race so last year’s renewal is always the best starting point when assessing this race.

The Staying Hurdle division tends to suit a certain type of horse, so be on the lookout for the hardy perennials when making your bets.

This Ascot result will have a major impact on the Cheltenham betting odds once it is complete so make your bets early.

Starting Prices

Looking back at the starting prices over the last 20 renewals, the biggest priced winner was Deano’s Beeno in 2002 for Martin Pipe and AP McCoy at 14/1 in the horse racing odds.

If you study the fate of the runners at the head of the market over the last 20 renewals, you will find that there have been a total of 11 winning favourites coming home in front.

Our 888sport antepost NAP of the day for the 2021 Long Walk Hurdle on December 18th is Paisley Park.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

• Lucy Bronze has been a leading figure in women’s football since bursting onto the scene in 2007

• Bronze has played for some of the best women’s teams, including Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais

• With an estimated net worth of £1 million, Bronze has enjoyed a lucrative football career

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If you follow women’s football, you’ll know all about Lucy Bronze. In fact, you might have heard of her even if you aren’t too clued up on the women’s game.

That is because Bronze is one of England’s most successful female players, representing her country over 80 times and winning countless accolades throughout her career.

Bronze has enjoyed plenty of success in terms of trophies but has also received individual recognition on more than one occasion – and that is testament to her impact and influence on the sport.

She defied football betting odds to become the first English footballer to win the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award in 2019, cementing her status as an all-time great.

How Much Is Lucy Bronze Worth?

• Salary

• Net Worth

• Who Is Lucy Bronze?

• Married

• Career Highlights

• Achievements

A pillar of consistency for the England national team since making her Lionesses debut back in 2013, Bronze is regarded as one of the top female players on the planet.

Climbing up the ladder to become one of the highest paid female footballers, Bronze is now recognised by soccer fans across the globe.

Without further ado, it’s time to look at Lucy Bronze net worth figures as well as her life off the football pitch. How much is Lucy Bronze worth? Scroll down to find out!

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 23rd November 2021

• The Arsenal Under-23 team is the highest-ranked youth side at the club.

• The Gunners have a proud history of developing youngsters to play for the senior side.

• With a new, ambitious head coach, their future seems as bright as ever.

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History

Arsenal’s Under 23 set-up is based at the club’s Academy in Hale End, London.

The Gunners have a long and distinguished history of respecting youth football that stretches back to the 19th century, first fielding a junior team in 1893, with an Arsenal A team for potential future stars running from 1929 to 1969.

The club have regularly been founding members of new leagues at various age groups, one example being the FA Premier Youth League created in 1997.

In 2012 Arsenal completely overhauled their academy structure, joining the Professional Development League for its inaugural season, replacing the reserves with an Under-21 team, and competing in the UEFA Youth League.

In 2016, the Premier League 2 was born, the first league specifically for Under-23 teams, one that Arsenal play in alongside 13 other clubs.

The team tends to consist of Under-21 players and the odd senior pro seeking match fitness. With Premier League wage bills crippling many clubs, the progression of academy players has never felt more vital.

Arsenal U23 Former Players

Down the years, many Arsenal youth players have broken into the senior side and achieved success, at Highbury – and later the Emirates - and elsewhere.

In fact, their success rate at producing homegrown talent resembles a roll call of English top-flight legends with numerous renowned players such as Charlie George and Peter Storey coming through the ranks.

There can be no better example than Tony Adams, the long-standing club captain who over 19 years won four titles and a host of cups, in three different decades, earning him a statue outside Arsenal’s stadium.

Across one of their most successful eras, the likes of Martin Keown, Paul Merson and Ray Parlour also came through the academy, while Michael Thomas scored the iconic late goal that brought the title to Highbury in 1989.

Ashley Cole, arguably the Premier League’s greatest left-back, learnt his trade at Arsenal’s academy, though he achieved much of his success at Chelsea.

There are plenty more who flourished away from North London, such as the goal-machine Andy Cole, while Serge Gnabry is one who definitely got away, currently ripping it up in a world-class Bayern Munich side.

In the last couple of years, two huge talents have broken into the first team and recently the England side too.

Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have firmly demonstrated the value of Arsenal’s set up, along with recent graduates Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah.

Those into online betting will be closely following the prospects and progress of Arsenal’s latest superstars in the making.

Current Arsenal U23 Players

Academy staff at Arsenal have extremely high hopes for a number of the Under-23 squad, though not all develop solely on home turf, with many sent on loan to gain experience.

Players such as Tyreece John-Jules, Daniel Ballard and Matt Smith have all developed their skills playing elsewhere.

One player getting rave reviews is Miguel Azeez, an English midfielder on loan at Portsmouth. Azeez joined Arsenal aged just five and has already featured for the senior side against Dundalk and trained with the first team.

But it is fellow midfielder Charlie Patino that is getting fans really excited, due to his control, vision and ball-playing abilities. Remember the name.

Elsewhere, Kido Taylor-Hart is a boyhood Gunner whose progress was rewarded with his first professional contract in 2021. Renowned for his speed, confidence beyond his years and supreme technical ability, he is definitely one to watch.

And the list goes on, with many Premier League predictions tipping goals galore for forwards Mika Biereth and Folarin Balogun in seasons to come.

Coach

Ahead of the 2021/22 season, Arsenal legend Steve Bould left his role as coach of the Under-23 squad, ending a 30-year association with the club.

Charged with filling his sizable boots, Kevin Betsy was announced as his replacement, the 43-year-old earning his stripes in the England set up, having worked with many of the youth squads.

His experience with different groups was key to him securing this new role.

As a player, Betsy was a seasoned professional throughout the football league pyramid, most notably as part of the Fulham squad that twice secured promotion to the Premier League, and it was at Fulham where he began his coaching career.

Crucially, he has excellent guidance above him, with club legend Per Mertesacker appointed Arsenal’s Academy manager after retiring as a player in 2018.

With such a professional set up to guide the club’s youngsters, it may only be a matter of time before Arsenal’s next manager is promoted from within its ranks.

Stadium

Academy players train at the Arsenal Training Centre, but the majority of their home matches take place at Meadow Park, the home of Boreham Wood F.C.

The ground has a capacity of 4.500, with 1,700 seats, a perfect size for games at youth level. Occasionally the team will play some of their bigger fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, with at least three games played there each season.

Meadow Park itself is in Hertfordshire and is part of a larger park and sports complex. Boreham Wood first played there in 1963, and it also hosts games for Arsenal Women and Watford Reserves.

The use of the ground by other teams has helped its development and in 2014 a new West Stand was opened. In 2019 meanwhile a new terrace was constructed, named after Arsenal’s historic North Bank at their old Highbury home.

Honours

Arsenal’s Academy has a proud history of not only developing young footballers, but claiming trophies along the way, though such success has been thin on the ground in recent years, despite some top-class talent breaking into the senior side.

Throughout their history they have won seven FA Youth Cups, the last in 2009, and six Academy League titles, these triumphs achieved by varying age groups, with Under-23 teams such a recent innovation in English football.

As a member of the first FA Premier Youth League in 1997, they secured the title in its opening season. They went on to win further titles at various youth levels as the leagues were subsequently split into different age groups.

With some top-class emerging talent on their books, football odds suggest more silverware is surely just a matter of time.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

• LeBron James is the highest paid NBA player of all-time

• With the salary cap and max contracts continuing to increase, this list is dominated by active players

• Do any names below surprise you?

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It doesn’t take a basketball odds aficionado to know about the vast sums of money involved in the NBA.

While top basketball players haven’t always been so handsomely compensated, they have long been among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Collective Bargaining Agreements have put certain restrictions on how much they can earn through max contracts and salary caps.

Many of the league’s highest paid players in 2021-22 are on very similar deals, but with Bird Rights and contract sizes altering depending on the cap and league revenues, there are numerous different salaries players can receive.

Unsurprisingly, the highest paid NBA players of all-time is skewed heavily towards the 21st century. Seven of the top 10 are active in NBA betting at the time of writing.

Blake Griffin - $255,764,829

Being taken first overall in 2009 meant Blake Griffin became a millionaire long before he made his NBA debut.

Griffin starred on the Lob City Clippers, earning five straight All-Star selections before a mega extension with the Clips.

He was controversially traded not long after he penned that deal. While being in Detroit wasn’t exactly his first choice, Griffin led the Pistons to the playoffs before injuries once again derailed his career.

The 2010-11 Rookie of the Year agreed a buyout with Detroit in 2020-21 and joined the Brooklyn Nets.

Carmelo Anthony - $262,523,093 

Still going and still climbing the scoring charts, Carmelo Anthony has reinvented himself as a bench scorer and floor spacer after falling out of the league.

Anthony made his name with the Denver Nuggets, earning multiple All-Star nods before being traded to the New York Knicks.

He signed a big-money deal at Madison Square Garden, but was eventually dealt to the Thunder to team up with Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

It didn’t work out in Oklahoma City or Houston. Anthony spent a while without a team, but was given an opportunity to return with the Blazers.

James Harden - $268,660,574

James Harden was one of four players to become eligible for a supermax in 2016-17. He signed the mega-deal with the Rockets, and even extended it further a year later.

That mammoth contract is still running with Harden possessing a player option of almost $47 million for 2022-23, which would see him climb this list further.

An alumnus one of the best NBA draft classes, Harden is the highest earner of the 2009 cohort, though Blake Griffin and Steph Curry aren’t far behind.

Shaquille O’Neal - $286,344,668

The only player on this list drafted before 1995, Shaquille O’Neal’s career is renowned for having a relatively short peak, but he still played almost two decades in the NBA.

That includes his rookie deal, the initial seven-year pact with the Lakers, a further extension and a five-year deal signed with Miami.

The Big Diesel has a net worth of over $400 million with tens of millions earned away from the court. His contracts can be viewed as a turning point in the history of the NBA.

Russell Westbrook - $288,581,670

Like Harden, Russell Westbrook was in the first class of players to qualify for the supermax.

Westbrook initially signed a max contract with the Thunder, which was boosted with a further $85 million guaranteed in 2016.

His five-year, supermax is worth over $205 million, and provides him with a player option for over $47 million in 2021-22.

Westbrook remains an effective player in the right system, but he’s a long way from the MVP that earned those deals. It’s no coincidence that he’s played for three teams in the last three seasons.

Kevin Durant - $306,172,746

Recently signing a contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant is going to be in the top three on this list before long.

Durant is deep into his thirties but remains a sports betting favourite to win MVP.

Despite such enormous career earnings, Durant has actually left money on the table through his career.

Like other big-time stars in the 21st century, he has prioritised control over maximising his salary.

Kobe Bryant - $323,312,307

Starring in the NBA as a teenager, Kobe Bryant’s earning potential was always huge.

He played a generation before others featured here, though, meaning it’s his longevity that got him to such a substantial figure.

Bryant agreed a seven-year contract worth almost $140 million with the Lakers in 2004 and extended in Los Angeles with an average annual value of just under $28 million when that expired.

A gesture of good faith from the Lakers saw the five-time champion land a final NBA payday with a two-year, $48.5 million deal to wrap up his Hall of Fame career.

Chris Paul - $330,709,419

Drafted in 2005, Chris Paul remains an elite player almost two decades on. He’s been through New Orleans, Los Angeles, Houston and Oklahoma City.

The Point God finds himself in Phoenix and the Suns recently rewarded him with yet another multi-year contract.

Paul received $75 million guaranteed from Phoenix. He’s on course to break the $400 million barrier in career earnings, and it could be even more if he receives his full salary in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Kevin Garnett - $334,304,240

It’s a few years since Kevin Garnett appeared in NBA predictions, but The Big Ticket spent several years as the highest paid NBA player of all-time. 
Landing $126 million on his rookie extension with the Timberwolves, Garnett penned a $100 million deal Minneapolis in 2004 before the league-altering trade to Boston. 
Further extensions followed with the Celtics and he finished his career with $16.5 million guaranteed on his return to the T-Wolves.

LeBron James - $387,384,119

Who else could it be? Of course, LeBron James is the highest paid NBA player of all-time.

James obviously landed the rookie max extension in Cleveland. He took slightly less than the max in Miami so the Heatles could be formed, but he’s more than made up for it.

The second stint in Ohio was about control for the four-time MVP.

It was a string of one-plus-one deals, but he committed four years when he joined the Lakers and extended for a further couple of seasons at an average annual value of almost $43 million.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*