Bould: This shows strength of youth set-up

Steve Bould believes the promotions of him and Neil Banfield into the first-team coaching set-up shows how strong the Club is at youth level. The 49-year-old has been praised for the superb job he has done in charge of Arsenal’s Under-18s, while Banfield has gained a impressive reputation for the work he has done with the Reserves. Bould - who has been appointed assistant manager, with Banfield the new first-team coach - says their rise through the ranks demonstrates the value of continuity. “It shows you that the youth set-up is right if the coaching staff who have been through [the Club] are deemed good enough to work with the first-team players. I think that's the way it should be,” he told Arsenal Player. Despite being as one of the key pillars of Arsenal’s famous back four during the George Graham era, Bould appreciates the Club’s focus on attacking football. “There is a brand and philosophy that we have to play,” he said. “That is No 1 whether it is youth players, reserve players or first-team players. “All of our kids have to be technically sound and able to play and that is the basis we all work off. First and foremost is the philosophy of the football club and the manager.”