The transfer window saw Premier League clubs spend an incredible £160m on Bundesliga talents, but not one was signed from German giants Bayern Munich.
The Bavarians have the money and prestige to see off any advances from England, but chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is still concerned by the improvements being made by top Premier League clubs in other areas.
“One thing is for certain, in view of the increased television money in England things are not going to get any easier for Bayern in future,” Rummenigge said to Suddeutsche Zeitung.
“I’ve taken a look at Manchester City’s youth academy and all I can say is it doesn’t get any better than that.
“I have also visited Tottenham’s, Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s and it’s the same wherever you go.
“I can tell you that the English are going all out, also in terms of youth development.”
The Gunners are heavily focussing on improving the youth teams at the club in a plan which begun with the appointment of Andries Jonker just over a year ago. Ivan Gazidis has spoken about the potential to have one of the best academies in the world at a club that has, truthfully, disappointed in recent seasons.
Bringing players all the way through will be difficult to begin with but the Gunners have put a huge effort into recruiting top class youth players over the course of the summer. Yasmin Fortune and Jeff Reine-Adelaide joined from RC Lens before Romanian u17 captain Vlad Dragomir, who has been likened to Toni Kroos, was signed. Ajax youth star Donyell Malen also moved to London in a huge Arsenal revamp.
Bayern Munich’s success has been built on having young players and Arsenal certainly have the facilities to create top young talent. The coaching may have to improve but the club are making clear strides on that front as well as with the level of talent being brought through.
At the end of it all we may reap the rewards to have as much success as German champions Bayern, who we face in the Champions League in October and November.