Back in Cork with Gunners graduates Merson and Parlour, but Liam Brady fears for modern academy talent
Liam Brady with Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium last season. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
As former head of the Arsenal academy, Liam Brady is horrified at the current Premier League trend that sees clubs incentivised to sell off their homegrown talent.
Among the most famed products of Arsenal’s youth ranks himself, as well as overseeing it for 18 years, Brady is in Cork this Saturday with two more Gunners graduates, Paul Merson and Ray Parlour, for an event at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs.
Brady’s legacy continues to be felt at Arsenal. He reckons the club has now raked in well over €300m from players developed during his time there.
Emile Smith Rowe became the latest to depart last week, to Fulham, while Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson have been linked with moves away this summer.
Brady has no quibble with Mikel Arteta’s squad decisions but is saddened that football’s profit and sustainability rules mean clubs are now increasingly offloading youth products to balance the books.
“I remember Emile well from my time at Arsenal. He was a quiet, shy kid in his early days who wasn’t confident enough considering how talented he was. But he blossomed out on loan in Germany and became a really good player, who was unlucky with a few injuries.
“He probably needs to play more regularly now. But I think it’s terrible that the system incentivises clubs to sell their kids. Something has gone badly wrong with Financial Fair Play if that’s how things are working.
“It was always part of the work, a tough part, of an academy boss, that you release players at the right time to bring in funds. But the system shouldn’t work against those lads.
“It’s the same at Chelsea. I talked to somebody there recently who said they don't really want to sell Conor Gallagher, but it makes sense the way the rules are. Something isn’t right when that’s the case.”
Sadness at Smith Rowe’s departure aside, Brady senses confidence among the Arsenal faithful ahead of the Premier League season.
“Arsenal fans are getting excited after going so close last year. They think it’s our time. I’m hopeful too, but still not that confident.
“I think we still have to address the need for an out-and-out goalscorer and I’m not too sure about the goalkeepers.
“The midfield is tremendous. And I really liked the look of Riccardo Calafiori at Bologna. The defensive record was the best last season, so despite a bit of uncertainty over the keepers, Arsenal should be fine in that department.
“If we lose the league again it probably won’t be down to conceding goals, but it might be because we don’t score enough. Where is the 20-goals-a-season man?”
Come see myself, Liam Brady and Ray Parlour by booking your ticket at https://t.co/LQIgFVcMWz pic.twitter.com/uFejp0QNiD
— Paul Merson (@PaulMerse) July 29, 2024
Brady is delighted to be working with Merson and Parlour for the first time.
“I love coming to Cork anyway. I’ve loads of relations there and I had a brilliant time at my book launch last year. It should be a good night, meeting Arsenal and Ireland fans. I hope loads come along.
“Paul and Ray — the Romford Pele they called him — are great characters. I got to know Paul first when he was starting out and I returned to England playing with West Ham. A super, skillful player. Back then I’d been hoping to go back to Arsenal, but he was part of the young breed George Graham was going with.
“He had a great career. A really funny guy, very popular on the TV. He suffered a lot over the years with gambling and other problems and he speaks very well about that side of things too.
“It’s funny, he and Ray went different directions when Arsene Wenger came to the club. Two Arsenal lads through and through. I’m not sure Paul took Arsene that seriously and soon left for Middlesbrough. But Ray bought into everything Wenger was doing and reaped the rewards. He was a very important part of Wenger’s first successful teams.
"He’s someone you wanted in your team when the going got tough. He’s very good in the media over in England. A great storyteller too and a genuine, nice person.”
He might be departed from RTÉ punditry, but Brady will always remain watchful of the Irish team and noted the appointment of new manager and part-time dentist Heimir Hallgrímsson.
“I heard his first interviews. He can certainly communicate well, which is good. He talks sense and his track record with Iceland is good. But I’m not sure he has the material to work with. We should give him every backing, but let’s hope watching us is not like pulling teeth.”
Hallgrímsson’s first assignment is likely to pit him against Lee Carsley, long linked to the Ireland job, but set to take temporary charge of England following Gareth Southgate’s departure.
“I’m not surprised about that. I would have tipped Carsley. In England, the FA like to appoint from within. He’s done a great job with the U21s, it makes sense.
“And let’s not forget that the Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente has never managed at club level.”
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