Per Mertesacker has overseen a change in philosophy in the way Arsenal 's academy operates, with the majority of their under-23s players being sent out on loan this season. A total of 17 members of that squad enjoyed loan spells and, with the majority of their more experienced youngsters not at the club, a new-look under-23s outfit was almost relegated from Premier League 2. After only securing their survival on the final day of the season, under-23s boss and club legend Steve Bould was sacked. Despite results being poor, the decision to send a lot of their youngsters out on loan is part of a wider change in philosophy at the club. Speaking back in 2019, academy manager Mertesacker...
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