Few clubs around the world are as recognized when it comes to developing young and talented players as Arsenal FC in England. And when some of those philosophies and methods are heading to the United States, it’s certainly reason to take notice.
The Richmond Strikers, a Virginia youth soccer club and a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, joined forces with Arsenal this summer, setting up a technical partnership to improve youth development at the club.
The agreement – officially announced over the last weekend in September despite starting over the summer – places an emphasis on development at the Richmond club. Bob Jenkins, a former member of U.S. Soccer’s technical staff, is the Strikers’ current Director of Coaching and Youth Development and will work with Arsenal to oversee the project’s implementation. And his substantial pedigree precedes him.
“One of the reasons we chose the Strikers was because of Bob Jenkins and his knowledge of the game,” Arsenal’s North America scout Daniel Karbassiyoon told MLSsoccer. “Bob has coached at a very high level and I think what makes soccer so unique is the ability to take ideas and combine them with your own.”
By the terms of the partnership, Roanoke, Va. native Karbassiyoon and former FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow, who is in charge of Arsenal’s International Partnerships, will work directly with Jenkins and the rest of the Strikers technical staff.
The idea is simple: Take a group of 12 to 14 Strikers and start to develop and train them the “Arsenal way.”
That small group will train between five to six days a week for two to four hours per day in an effort to master technical skills.
“It’s a lot more training, and a very specific approach to training that’s driven technically, especially in terms of trying to get a kid better feet, more comfortable with the ball, ability to move,” Jenkins said.
The approach, as Jenkins puts it, “is essentially designed for the top echelon of player – both in talent and commitment – who has interest and potential to excel.” Only youngsters committed to long hours on the training field will succeed in the program, as it requires immense dedication to the game.
Jenkins has already taken a couple of trips to Arsenal’s training facilities in London, interacting with coaches there and getting a chance to observe how things are run at the club up close. Jenkins will put into practice the methods and techniques he picks up from his trips to Arsenal, but will also combine his own knowledge and that of his technical staff into the mix.
“Obviously Arsenal’s method of player development is highly coveted around the world, so a majority of our ideas are coming from London,” Karbassiyoon said. “However, it doesn’t mean that Bob and the Strikers staff can’t use their own knowledge and methods if the desired results are achieved.”
Karbassiyoon will help out as much as he can while maintaining his current role with the club, acting as an on the ground liaison between Arsenal and the Strikers. Morrow is also scheduled to make several trips over to Richmond to make sure things go smoothly.
“On top of my scouting I will be involved with the Richmond program as much as I can,” Karbassiyoon said. “From a coaching perspective, I will be on the fields and will help Bob with all the challenges coaching brings: session planning, content, and most importantly the points we make to help improve the kids.”
Based on Arsenal’s success with players like Jack Wilshere, who joined the club when he was nine years old and recently earned a call up to the England first team, it seems likely that the kids at Richmond will improve. Becoming synonymous with a club of Arsenal’s stature, though, will also improve upon the Strikers’ already prolific reputation.
“From a club standout it’s a tremendous value to us,” Jenkins said. “Anytime that you have a program of this level, you’re hopefully going to attract all the players around that are going to be a part of it.”
Richmond will certainly have a leg up when it comes to attracting talent to their program, but Karbassiyoon expects soccer in the US to benefit more generally from Arsenal’s interest in youth development stateside.
“I can’t imagine how excited I would have been if I was given an opportunity to train the way Arsenal train on a daily basis as a kid,” he said. “Soccer in our country is growing at a very positive rate yearly, and that can be seen as MLS becomes more competitive and signs more and more quality, high profile players.”
The partnership is the first of its kind for Arsenal with a U.S.-based youth soccer club, but Karbassiyoon hopes that it won’t be the last.
“Ideally we’d like for this program to be successful enough that it warrants expansion, but at the moment we are very focused on the Strikers and making sure we do it right,” he said. “If everyone involved feels it's a success and supports the aims of U.S. Youth Soccer, then I don’t see why partnering with more clubs wouldn’t be an option.”
