Ivan Gazidis says Arsenal are 'driven to give youngsters a chance' as report labels Gunners top academy producers

Ivan Gazidis says Arsenal are driven to “give young players a chance” after a study revealed that no top flight club leaned more heavily on their academy than the Gunners.

A report commissioned by the Press Association revealed that 19.4 per cent of Premier League minutes last season had been given up to six players who had come through the club’s Hale End set up, most notably Hector Bellerin.

Francis Coquelin, Alex Iwobi and Kieran Gibbs were also among those players who played 6,628 minutes in the top flight.

The pathway from the youth setup to Arsene Wenger’s side is hardly the only way in which Arsenal contribute to youngsters in London in beyond, as Gazidis noted in a speech at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in China.

“At Arsenal we're very much driven by our values, like giving young people a chance,” Gazidis said.

“Young players, sure, but all sorts of other things - youth programmes in Islington, which we’re now taking global. We're working in the education of migrant children here in Beijing.”

Though Arsenal remain firmly committed to their widely-respected contributions to the local community the Gunners have global ambitions. And they have the supporters to go with it.

Wenger’s side have travelled to China for the second time in five years – they will play Chelsea on Saturday in Beijing after a penalty shootout win against Bayern Munich in Shanghai on Wednesday – and Gazidis has once more been taken aback by the level of support the Gunners have in the Far East.

“We arrived into Beijing airport and there were hundreds of fans going absolutely crazy,” he added.

“The last time we came, a fan broke through the barrier and ran up to team doctor Gary O’Driscoll – who’s young and fit and looks like he could be a player – and asked for an autograph, and Gary said – sorry, I’m not a player – and the young man said – Gary O’Driscoll, team doctor, please can I have an autograph – that’s how comprehensive their knowledge is.”