As I sit here contemplating the future of my own clubs place in the league my mind turns towards the Premiership and partially the race for fourth spot.. The re-branding of the European Cup to the Champions League has made it one of the most desirable competitions to be associated with in World Football.

The 2008/2009 Premiership has been quite a remarkable season with clubs like Tottenham and Blackburn battling against relegation and Aston Villa pushing for their place in the Champions League at the expense of Arsenal.

Arsenal being one of the more successful clubs in England over the last 12 years under the stewardship of the “professor” Arsene Wenger are facing a revolt from some sections of there own support, as he has chosen not to strengthen his side with big money signings but has chosen to support his own youth academy.

When Wenger first arrived at Highbury he started to forge links with the French Football Federations academy in Clair Fontaine.  He brought over prospects like Nicholas Anelka to help kick start a new generation of Arsenal youth using an ever growing web of youth scouts to pin point the most talented youngsters around the world and bring them through the Arsenal way and helping to create a more sustainable football club in the process.

This is not a new idea but I feel Wenger may have been influenced by the world famous Ajax Academy which has always had a reputation of developing some of the finest young talent in the game. The academies proudest day must have come on the 24th of May 1995 when Ajax, brimming with talent from there own academy, beat Milan 1-0 to capture the European cup.

But looking even closer to home, Manchester United produced a phenomenal crop of youngster at the back of the 90's which turned a couple of teenagers into household names.  I can remember watching David Preece's testimonial and rather then the big new signings Andy Cole or Ryan Giggs, it was a bunch of youngsters like Beckham, Butt, Scholes and the Neville brothers that people remember now.  No one that evening could have believed they would have produced not only the back bone of United but also for England.

You could also mention Harry Redknapp's West Ham team early in the new millennium with the like of Ferdinand, Carrick, Joe Cole, Lampard and Defoe, also another group of players who have since been split up and left for various large clubs through the league and still create a backbone for England.

But is Wenger right to follow this approach.  Everyone knows he has an eye for talent and for picking up the lesser know players like Viera and Petit and turning them into a formidable force. With the credit crunch in fall swing and a new stadium to pay for Wenger is looking to create a sustainable club like an Ajax with talent on tap and with less need to spend large amounts.

But looking at two of their biggest rivals, both Manchester United and Liverpool are carrying huge debts that could mean a cut in spending for these clubs and looking more at their youth policies. So Wenger may be a little ahead of the curb trying to do the responsible thing rather than waste countless millions on players who could end up warming the bench or being sold on for a lot less then they were brought for.  Robbie Keane being a prime example.

Like many fans I find the football Arsenal play mesmerising and I feel we are still not looking at the complete Arsenal, but I would say the future is exciting and with Arsenal reclaiming the top spot and with Eduardo and others back from injury, I could see Arsenal being a dark horse for the title next year.

I think one of the biggest players that backs up Wenger’s faith in his youth is Cesc Fàbregas, possibly the biggest find he has ever made. The midfield maestro has become a key component within the club and must be held up to every other Arsenal youth of what they can achieve.

But also Wenger’s youth teams exploits in the League Cup must bring real hope.  No one could imagine a bunch of teenagers would take an experienced Sheffield United side to the cleaners by beating them 6-0. And with some fantastic youngsters on the way like Wilshire and Vela, this could save Arsenal some real money in the future.

Oh and one final point for all those Premiership clubs who are unhappy with there league position please take a look at my club Luton Town. This small club with a big heart who are currently rock bottom of the football league thanks to the FA were one of the original signatories who created the Premier League and all we have to look forward to is a bitter battle to stay in the league and should we fail we look forward to Non-league football. So no how bad you think you have it please look at it from our point of view.

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