A central principle of the Arsenal academy is that players should remain connected to normal life for as long as possible.

Rather than moving all young players into one football-focused school environment, the club aims to keep most academy players in their local schools and living at home. This reflects a conscious philosophy: young people should not grow up seeing themselves only as footballers. They should continue developing in a broader social and educational environment.

To make this work, Arsenal carefully structures the balance between school and football. For younger age groups, time away from school is kept to a minimum. Even when players begin to spend more time at the academy, the club provides additional academic support so that education is not weakened by football demands.

This approach sends an important message: if a player joins Arsenal, the expectation is not simply that they will cope with school, but that they should be able to do better because of the support the club provides.

“Joining the academy should never harm a young player’s education.”

That same philosophy continues into the later academy years.

For older players, Arsenal actively supports dual-career pathways by funding further education opportunities. These may include university study, flexible online programmes or football-related academic pathways. Even at stages where football becomes more demanding, the club keeps education visible and accessible.

What is especially striking is that this support does not end when a player leaves the academy.

Arsenal’s aftercare approach shows a strong long-term commitment to young people. Players who leave the system can still receive educational support, tutoring and guidance as they move into other clubs, university, scholarships abroad or different life paths altogether. In this sense, dual career is not only about balancing two pathways while inside the club — it is also about helping players remain supported when football pathways change.

“Support should continue even when the academy journey ends.”

Alongside education, the Player Care department adds another important layer to the Arsenal model.

The club places strong emphasis on wellbeing, life skills, transition management and emotional support. Through regular meetings, structured wellbeing monitoring and one-to-one support, player care staff act as a trusted link between the player, the family and the wider academy environment.

Particular attention is given to helping players become more independent as they move into older age groups. Arsenal sees this as a crucial part of preparing them not only for professional football, but for adult life more broadly. Parents are included in this process too, with the club providing resources and guidance to help families understand their role as players gradually take more responsibility for their own development.

This combination of education, personal support and long-term transition planning makes Arsenal a very relevant example for the EDU-DC project.

For the EDU-DC project, Arsenal FC represents a valuable best practice example from the staff perspective. Its model shows that dual career in football is strongest when it is not reduced to school timetables or academic requirements alone, but understood as part of a wider culture of care, responsibility and long-term development.

By connecting education, wellbeing, independence and aftercare, Arsenal demonstrates how elite academies can support players as young people first — and in doing so, prepare them better for football and for life beyond it.