The eye-watering finances behind Mishel Nduka deal as Man City blow Arsenal away again
Arsenal supporters have been left wondering why their club continues to miss out on such generational academy talents to rivals.
Attention was first raised when Manchester City beat the Gunners to Leicester City gem Jeremy Monga, with further disappointment awaiting.
The most recent of those deals has seen Kyran Thompson turn down a contract in North London, instead joining Newcastle United in the north east.
Despite winning the Premier League last season, and getting to the Champions League final, the Arsenal academy appears to be bleeding talent.
Arsenal product Mishel Nduka is the latest to snub the Gunners for the Citizens, joining 17-year-old Monga, who broke out in the Championship last term.
Many fans have been left scratching their heads as to why one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest right now, continue to miss out.
Arsenal continue to lose talent to Manchester City
It would appear that Arsenal are simply refusing to bend their rules for the younger generation, however talented they really might be.
According to the Daily Mail, at just 16 years of age, Nduka is already earning £20,000-a-week, totalling around £1million-a-year at the Etihad.
It is understood that Monga is on an even more lucrative deal after snubbing the Gunners for Man City. Arsenal are simply unwilling to throw money at these players.
Of course, this could come back to bite them in the future, and given City's track-record of producing talent, it most likely will, but ultimately, money talks.
Hale End used to be one of the most prestigious academies in the Premier League. Now, Arsenal are losing talent left, right and centre.
What has happened at Hale End?
Arsenal have been known for producing some of the biggest talents in the country, such as Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman.
When asked about the benefits of staying at Hale End, Mikel Arteta can simply point towards his first-team squad, suggesting an easy route to professional football.
However, in recent years, it has become incredibly difficult for youngsters to get senior minutes, with Ethan Nwaneri leaving for Marseille on loan.
It would appear that academy football is all about throwing money about now, and the Gunners simply refuse to get involved and throw their morals out the window.