Adam Birchall

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Hale End in the quest to develop future first-team stars, then a new documentary series will offer unprecedented insight into Arsenal's world-famous academy. For the first time, cameras were allowed on-site to follow academy manager Per Mertesacker, under-15s coach Adam Pilling and the under-16s' Adam Birchall as they help the next generation plot a course from Hale End to London Colney thanks to their first professional contract.