Arsenal Academy Manager Andries Jonker Vows to Sustain Gunners Philosophy

Arsenal academy manager Andries Jonker believes the club are firmly on track in bringing through the next generation of young talent – just as Louis van Gaal did at Bayern Munich.

Jonker was appointed Liam Brady's successor at the Gunners' academy in January having previously served as the Manchester United manager's assistant coach at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Handed the task of overseeing the development of the club's next home-grown stars, Jonker was given the freedom to appoint his own men to coach the Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-21s, looking to fellow countrymen Jan van Loom and Frans de Kat for the roles.

And the 51-year-old says he feels at ease with the responsibility handed to him.

"When you have been working at top clubs in Europe, and I was lucky with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, then you also notice the difference with a level that is lower," Jonker told the club's official website.

"You know the ambition in a top club, you know the atmosphere in a top club is all about winning and if it is a club I like with history, exposure then you can feel quite comfortable.

"I have found out about myself. At those clubs I have found myself very comfortable. Of course I was proud to be asked by Arsenal to be a manager of the academy, and if you have that row of clubs – Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal – then you get the feeling I have to do this."

With the likes of Gedion Zelalem and Serge Gnabry having already made an impression on the Arsenal first team after honing their skill in the youth ranks, Jonker is excited about what the future holds at the north London club.

And having seen the instant impact the tactic of blooding players at a young age has had working alongside Van Gaal in the past, he insists that philosophy will continue to be a priority at the Emirates.

"Yes, you have [a history of bringing players through early] and that is what is at Barcelona and what Louis [van Gaal] brought to Bayern Munich. That is typical to Ajax and Dutch football, and I felt very comfortable with that.

"I knew it and when I spoke in the beginning with Ivan Gazidis and he explained to me the philosophy of the club, and later Arsene Wenger, I felt very at home with it. It was nothing strange to me – it felt like it was the way it had to be."