Arsenal sack head youth scout Steve Morrow as Per Mertesacker's academy shake-up continues

Axed: Steve Morrow has represented Arsenal as both a player and coach
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal have parted company with head of youth scouting Steve Morrow as part of a planned restructuring of the club’s academy.

Morrow, a former midfielder, came through the academy at Arsenal as a player and has been involved in the youth setup for more than a decade.

The 49-year-old famously scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s 1993 League Cup final win over Sheffield Wednesday before breaking his arm during the celebrations.

In total, Morrow made over 60 appearances for the Gunners in a career which also took in stints with Reading, QPR and Dallas Burn, now FC Dallas, beginning as a coach with the latter before moving back to north London.

However the former Northern Ireland international is now leaving Arsenal as part of an upcoming restructuring of the academy setup, which is headed up by Per Mertesacker.

As well as Morrow, several other members of staff are due to leave Arsenal as the German attempts to put his stamp on the academy.

Arsenal have handed more first-team opportunities to youngsters this season, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock being given chances to shine by head coach Unai Emery.

To aid their development, Freddie Ljungberg was promoted from the under-23 setup to the first-team coaching staff in the summer and it has paid dividends.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The latest moves, including Morrow’s departure, are a further indication of the changing setup of the academy and the focus Arsenal are placing on it.

They also come in the wake of Head of football Raul Sanllehi’s comments in the summer, when he said: “Identifying, recruiting and developing young players is a key part of our strategy.

“We have some great talent coming through our younger age groups and, like all top clubs, the challenge is to help them make the most of their abilities.

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