Arsenal Soccer Schools 2021: Planning for Our Return

It has been nine months since we last had students on the pitch, and if we are honest, not a week has gone by without someone on the team mentioning how much they miss it. Summer 2020 was taken from us by circumstances none of us could control. But here we are in January 2021, and the work to bring Arsenal Soccer Schools back this summer is well underway.

We want to be upfront. We are planning for a full programme at all four venues this summer, but we are doing so with flexibility built into every decision. The safety of our students, staff, and host communities comes first. Always. If guidance changes, we will adapt. But the intention is clear: we want to be back on the grass with young footballers this summer, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.

Exciting times at Arsenal

While the camps have been on hold, Arsenal Football Club has been going through a fascinating period of change. Mikel Arteta's rebuild is starting to take visible shape, and the most encouraging part of it is the young talent coming through.

Emile Smith Rowe has been a revelation. After loan spells and patient development, he has broken into the first team with the kind of performances that remind you why Arsenal's academy has always been one of the best in the country. His movement between the lines, his willingness to drive forward with the ball, his composure in front of goal - this is a player who has grown up learning the Arsenal way and is now showing what that means at the highest level.

Then there is Bukayo Saka. Still only 19, already one of the first names on the teamsheet, and playing with a maturity that belies his age. Saka can play anywhere across the front line or at full-back and is equally effective in all of those positions. He is the kind of player that young footballers look up to because he is living proof that hard work, talent, and the right coaching environment can take you to the very top.

For students attending our Arsenal Soccer Schools programme, watching players like Smith Rowe and Saka is more than just entertainment. It is evidence of what the Arsenal development pathway produces. The coaching methodology used at our camps comes from the same source. The principles are the same. The emphasis on technical quality, intelligent movement, and playing with confidence - it all connects.

What families can look forward to

When we return, the programme will look familiar to anyone who has attended before, with a few refinements that we have worked on during the break.

The core of the experience remains the same. Three hours of professional coaching every weekday, delivered by qualified Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches on outstanding facilities at some of England's finest boarding schools. Your child will train in official Arsenal kit, follow structured coaching sessions designed to develop their game, and play competitive matches against students from around the world.

For international families, the English and Football programme combines football coaching with British Council accredited English language tuition. Fifteen hours of coaching alongside fifteen hours of English classes each week, all within a fully residential setting where your child is immersed in the language from morning to night. It is the most effective way to develop football skills and English confidence at the same time.

The residential experience is something we have always been proud of. Students live in comfortable boarding house accommodation, eat well, and take part in a full programme of evening activities and weekend excursions. Everything is included in the fee. There are no surprise costs.

But beyond the logistics, what makes the programme special is the community. Sixty-plus nationalities, shared meals, shared pitches, shared experiences. Children arrive as individuals and leave as part of something bigger. That is the part we have missed most, and it is the part we are most looking forward to bringing back.

Our four planned venues

We are planning to run at Clayesmore, Worth School, Oundle, and Seaford this summer, subject to guidance at the time. Each school offers excellent facilities, beautiful surroundings, and the kind of environment where young people thrive.

Detailed information on each venue, including dates and availability, will be published on our website as soon as we are in a position to confirm. We expect that to happen in the spring.

The programme will be ready

Our coaching team has not been idle. They have used this extended break to review every aspect of the programme, from session planning to player development tracking, and the sessions they have prepared for 2021 are the best we have ever put together. Arteta's influence on the club's coaching philosophy continues to filter through, and our programme reflects that progressive, development-focused approach.

We have also been working closely with our venue partners and welfare teams to ensure that when we do return, the experience is as safe, smooth, and enjoyable as it has always been.

Register your interest

If you are thinking about summer 2021 for your child, now is the time to let us know. You can register your interest through our website, and we will make sure you are the first to hear when bookings open.

We know families need certainty, and we will provide it as soon as we can. In the meantime, know this: the Arsenal Soccer Schools team is ready, the programme is prepared, and we cannot wait to welcome young footballers back to the pitch.