With 64 players on their books from outside the first-team squad, sooner or later Arsenal were going to have to start reducing the number of players at their disposal and they have begun that process by releasing midfielder Jamie Edge.
Edge, who signed a professional contract shortly after turning 17 last September, was signed amid some publicity from Cheltenham Town two years ago but has struggled to adapt to the technical side of Arsenal’s game since joining and, although he made 29 appearances for the under-18s, he struggled to break into Neil Banfield’s Reserve side, making only one appearance at that level against Wigan last season. It is understood that Derby County are close to signing the midfielder.
Another player who has been told that his future as a footballer lies away from Arsenal is defender Steven Smith, who made 11 appearances at under-18 level last season after signing scholarship forms in summer 2010. Smith, like Edge, travelled to the Dallas Cup at the end of last season, but, after struggling with injuries last campaign, it was decided that a move would be the best option for all parties.
Smith is one of twelve players entering the final year of their scholarships and several other members of that group are likely to be informed of their departure within the next couple of months, as Arsenal look to incorporate the exciting new batch of scholars and schoolboys into the under-18 setup.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
Good luck to Edge, slightly surprised about Smith. From what I saw of him when he played last season he looked good.
Best of Luck Jamie!
And Smith too! We really seem thin at the center-back area throughout the club? Jeorge any prospects we should keep a eye out for U15 or u16’s for the defense?Thanks
Zach Fagan, who’s just signed scholarship terms, is an interesting prospect at centre-back now that he’s fully fit having missed most of last season through injury.
This is an indication of the problems of relying too heavily on scouting and bringing through young players at the expense of buying enough first team ready players. The amount of money alone spent on such a large number of young players and their development compared with say getting Scott Parker on loan is really a worry. The latter would have a far bigger impact on the results of the first team, which is what the overall aim is.
I do like that the club invests in youth but I think when there is a hole in the team it needs plugging with proper purchases. This is what Wenger fails to do.
this was a case of bad scouting because it was obvious from day one that edge would not make the grade…….no pace,poor technique and an ego the size of the emirates.
how can you talk about his ego when you dont even know him? his ego was one of the many attribrutes he possesed that showed what a mature and talented youngster he is. He is one of the most down to earth people in the club and always kept his feet on the ground! best of luck wherever you go Jamie!
Steve Smith was he released cause of injuries?
Zach fagan is he the best young CB to come though since Tony adams? Matty Connolly?
Best of luck to him. It’s a shame to see any Arsenal youngster released, but if the U16 group and our new youth signings are as highly rated as they seem to be then cutting loose some of the weaker players who might stand in their way is a must. Otherwise we’re just harming our best prospects, and also not doing a player like Edge any favours.
Will he be going back to U2?
Edge played for West Brom against Kidderminster Harriers…didn’t look anything special so I’m not sure whether we will follow it up
They were very keen, that i do know.
Arsenal have to released more players….even if tom cruise,steve smith and jamie edge departures make space we still got too much defender in the reserves and under 18……..hajrovic,glasgow,angha RB, boateng,monteiro,miquel,hayden,fagan,siemann CB,brislen-hall,meade, bihmoutine,campbell,ormonde-ottewill LB….there is definetly too much players…..i think it was a bad idea to keep brislen-hall.
Honestly jamie edge was always gonna struggle simply because he came from league 2’s cheltenham town, who’s youth set up is a world away from arsenal’s. I never really thought edge stood out from the other players and he was meant to be this prodigy of some sort like luke freeman but at that level any decent young player is bound to blow up through the ranks. I’m glad he has gone to derby county because I wouldn’t want the lads career being harmed because of this. I just think arsenal’s scouts were wrong about this one. Its a shame about S.Smith because I never got to see him play
Until what age is Arsenal’s academy? U7?
First academy year is under 9s, but they have development centre’s for 6/7/8 yr olds.
Does anybody know where Steven Smith has gone?