Mertesacker on finding the next Saka or Smith Rowe and 'special bond' with Arteta

The much vaunted Gunners academy has produced a number of stars for the first team over the years, including Tony Adams, Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere.

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Mertesacker took on the role of academy manager after seven years at the club as a player.

Now the club will open its doors on what goes on behind the scenes at their world famous youth academy with the launch of 'Inside Hale End'.

Things have gone full circle for Mertesacker and Arsenal first team manager Mikel Arteta.

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Both were signed on deadline day back in August 2011, now are among two of the most important people in shaping the future of the club.

He said: "I always come back to these panic buys we were part of, not making a joke of it, but it is a significant journey for me and my family and everything that happened on that deadline day. Everything that happened after.

"I was not able to drive on the wrong side and Mikel took me from the hotel to the training ground for the first three or four weeks.

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"Clearly from the start, we had a certain kind of bond. Then ended up being captain and vice-captain, putting the responsibility and accountability to do well for this football club.

"Now we are almost in the same position. Did I imagine being in that position? No.

"I guess you put yourself in a position where you might end up where we are sitting now and where we still have a trustworthy relationship where it comes together again.

"I know we are both very busy, but in terms of the start of the season I couldn't be more happy with how aligned we are in terms of first team and the academy."

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The six-part documentary will premiere on September 6 with two new episodes airing weekly.

Each episode covers various topics that the Hale End staff and players must face during a season at the academy. This will include the 2021/22 cup run, how scouts identify talent for the academy, life on the road and player graduation.

Of course, not every player can make it and Mertesacker admitted delivering that bad news is something he has had to learn.

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He said: "To be an academy footballer, it is not an easy environment. We wanted to make it transparent how much we really care for these boys to rise to any challenge in life.

"We wanted to make it real and so it really feels like it can be a piece that educates future generations of stake holders."

When asked about delivering that bad news, Mertesacker added: "It's unfortunately part of the programme. I was in a position at the start of my academy manager career where I had to learn it, to learn being in such situations.

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"You want to be authentic and tell them the honesty and the truth. Also to show examples of where a player has been released, taken a step side ways, and gone on to be a success in football or elsewhere.

"Detriment to that decision is how you deal with adversity. You can learn so much.

"It is how we are involved in the process, how much they know about it. We try to educate as much as we can so they know where we are and they are especially.

"I don't like surprises in this process where we tell them how good they are over a year and then they get released.

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"That's not what I like to do. We create pillars around every player where there are gaps where they need development.

"There needs to be an opportunity to be honest where they need to improve. At the end of the year we might say we don't see an opportunity here furthermore, but we would like to help you with the next step in your life."

Mertesacker also wanted to get across just how different everyone's route is, going into what made Saka and Smith Rowe stand out as examples.

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He added: "What's important is how football can be a burden for players, just to be successful. It is creating that balance between the football and the home life and school life to make sure football teaches us about fair play, respect and discipline.

"It can be a burden at times when it is just about that and just about being successful.

"These are the things really important.

"Turning to success stories, they are different as well.

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"Bukayo was always rising to the challenge. Whatever challenge we put him into, he overtook that challenge in the next couple of months.

"He was super academic, did well in his GCSEs and was always thriving through it. You can see the steps he made to now that he always is in a position where he has stood strong to every challenge he faced.

"Emile was someone who had his worries. It was interesting to read in the matchday programme about his journey and how much his family meant at times when he was struggling. Opening up is important.

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"He went to Leipzig on loan and couldn't get a game and then went to Huddersfield and revitalised his career and made a name for himself.

"These kinds of pathways show you how much the academies are able to deliver, but there will be struggles on the way. It is up to players, staff and families to make sure we are really supportive.

"These are two examples where they are put in key positions for the first team, which is absolutely amazing and back it up with their performances.

"That's the ultimate goal for the players and for us as well that they can make a difference in the first team environment."

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Inside Hale End premieres on September 6 via Arsenal's YouTube channel, with two new episodes airing weekly every Tuesday, concluding on September 20. For more information on Inside Hale End and the Arsenal youth academy, visit www.arsenal.com