Fabregas gives Arsenal Soccer School kids kick start

The budding football stars who have enrolled at Dubai’s Arsenal Soccer School this month rubbed shoulders with the player whose career they dream of emulating. Cesc Fabregas – who was at Emirates Group Headquarters to welcome the children into the school - was not much older than many of them when he became Arsenal’s youngest ever first-team player in 2003, aged 16 years and 177 days.

Under the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger – who is widely regarded as the finest coach in the world for nurturing young talent – he developed quickly and soon became a fixture in the side. He is now the heartbeat of the team, which is renowned for its exciting, free-flowing skilful style.

And the Arsenal captain is encouraging Dubai youngsters to follow in his footsteps by learning to ‘Play the Arsenal Way’ at the school which will be permanently based at 7he Sevens, Emirates’ own sporting venue, and will offer children the chance to be trained by an Arsenal UEFA Licensed Soccer Schools coach.

“I think it is wonderful that the children in Dubai are getting the chance to learn from world-class coaches,” said 22-year-old Spaniard, who also signed autographs for hundreds of Emirates Group employees.

“The coaching is based around the same principles that Arsene Wenger teaches us in the first team. This is a great chance for kids to realise their potential while having great fun at the same time.”

The school is open to boys and girls, with classes available in both Arabic and English. More than 1000 children - aged between five and 18 - will be trained each year, with the first 10-week term kicking off on 5th October. Each 10-week term will cost AED 1,500 for one session per week, with fees of AED 2,500 for two sessions a week. Each session will be between 60 to 75 minutes in duration.

In addition to the children based in the UAE, Emirates will be opening up the opportunity to youngsters from around the world. With non-stop flights to Dubai with Emirates from six continents, parents will have the chance to relax while their kids enjoy coaching classes at a magnificent training facility.

In 2004, Emirates and Arsenal signed the biggest club sponsorship in English football history. In addition to the Fly Emirates logo on the players’ shirts, Emirates also has naming rights of Arsenal’s home, Emirates Stadium. Elsewhere, the airline sponsors Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, Hamburger SV, AC Milan and Olympiacos FC. It is also the Official Sponsor and Airline of BEC Tero Sasana from Thailand.

Emirates’ affinity with football continues as it is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup and Official Airline and Partner of the Asian Football Confederation. The airline is also heavily involved in rugby, cricket, golf, horseracing, sailing and tennis.

Reservations are now being taken for places at the Dubai school. For more information, visit arsenalsoccerschooldubai.com.

Arsenal have been operating soccer schools within the UK and globally for more than 20 years and around 40,000 children have already learned to Play the Arsenal Way. Visit playthearsenalway.com for more details.