Source: Daily_Mail
Inside Arsenal's talent factory: Cedric Evina case study
Cedric Evina is 18 and has been associated with Arsenal for half his life. [LNB]He was nine years old, playing district football in Barnet, when one of Liam Brady's scouting team invited him to a trial at the club's Hale End Academy, in north London, the base for the age groups from Under 9 to Under 16.[LNB]Evina signed up and progressed through the ranks alongside Jack Wilshere. A full back or winger, he has played in the reserves and signed his first professional contract earlier this year. Here he tells his story...[LNB]When you first go to Hale End, they give you the tracksuit and your kit and you're so excited you want to sleep in the kit! You can't help telling your friends: 'I play for Arsenal now'. They were all just as excited as me and my teachers at school were a lot nicer to me.[LNB]I'd go training twice a week after school. You can go three times but most people go twice because their mums and dads are taking them after work and it's difficult. When I was about 13 or 14, I'd get the bus and go by myself three nights a week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then we'd have a game on the Sunday.[LNB] [LNB] When I was 15, going on 16, Arsenal took me out of normal schooling but I carried on my education three times a week. I do a BTEC, which is mainly sports science. Teachers from West Herts College come in to teach us and I've passed all my assignments so far.[LNB]I know how lucky I am to be at Arsenal, with all the facilities and the training. I know people who have left and are now at other clubs and they don't have the stuff we take for granted, with the kit laid out every morning. Some people have to take their kit home, wash it and bring it back the next day.[LNB]Our fitness coach Craig designs a programme for every single player and we'll do that three times a week. I've had to work on my upper body strength. As a defender I need to hold off the strikers and be strong in the challenges.[LNB]I pop into the gym after training and do the bench press and a couple of weights and a core circuit. I can feel the difference on the pitch. It helps when you play in the reserves against first-team players.[LNB] Topped and tailed: Evina [LNB]At the start of the season, every young professional is looking to be called into the Carling Cup squad. I've trained with the first team.[LNB]The first few times you go to train with them is a great feeling. Even though we see them every day, you're a bit nervous because it's the people you see on TV. The biggest thing is the game is so much quicker. They make decisions much quicker. Technically, you've got to be spot on.[LNB]That's the big thing they always hammer us with here, pass the ball quickly. When you do that, teams run after the ball. It looks nicer and it's better to have the ball and keep passing it sharp, playing between the lines.[LNB]I've played a lot with Jack Wilshere, he's the same age as me, and it's great he is with the first team. Kieran Gibbs is another example.[LNB]It opens your eyes and tells you that if you work hard, have a bit of luck and stay injury-free, it's possible. Your first goal is to be offered a professional contract. After that, your goal is to be part of the first team.[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: Step inside Arsene Wenger's talent factory as Arsenal's football nursery is laid bareSteve Bould: From Arsenal's 'famous four' to the production of world class playersWenger's talent factory: Five of the best from Arsenal's academy GALLERY: Graham Chadwick's exclusive look into Arsene Wenger's talent factoryARSENAL FC
