As Newport County prepare to take on Arsenal U21s in the EFL Trophy, we take a closer look at Tuesday’s opposition.
Arsenal U21’s Story
Arsenal Football Club’s Academy, better known as Hale End, is the youth system of the club based in North London. The academy sides compete in the Professional Development League, the highest tier of youth football in the country, and also take part in the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League. Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is the current academy manager.
The Arsenal Under-21s are the top team in the setup, previously known as the Reserves. They train at the Arsenal Training Centre and play most of their home games at Meadow Park, the home ground of Boreham Wood. From time to time, matches are also played at the Emirates Stadium. It’s not unusual for senior players to feature for the side when returning from injury.
Over the years, Arsenal’s academy has built a strong reputation, winning seven FA Youth Cups and six Premier Academy League titles. Many graduates have gone on to establish themselves as professionals at the highest level, both in the Premier League and on the international stage.
The Head Coach
As of August 2025, the Arsenal Under-21s are led by head coach Max Porter, a former Newport County captain.
Porter enjoyed a 13-year playing career across the EFL and non-league football, with his most notable spell coming at Newport County between 2012 and 2015, where he made 94 appearances in the Exiles’ black and amber. After finishing his playing days with Chelmsford City in the National League South, he moved into coaching and joined Arsenal’s academy setup in 2019 as U13s coach.
Since then, Porter has steadily progressed through the ranks, serving as U14s head coach, Lead Phase coach, U18s assistant, and U17s head coach. In July 2022, he was promoted to U21 assistant coach. During the 2024-25 season, he also took charge of the U19s in the UEFA Youth League while continuing his U21 role.
In recognition of his development and experience within the academy, Porter was appointed Arsenal U21 head coach in August 2025.
The Captain
Louie Copley has worked his way through the Arsenal ranks to become captain of the club’s Under-21 side. The Southend-born midfielder, who joined from West Ham United’s academy in 2019, has built a reputation for his composure on the ball and his ability to set the tempo in midfield.
Standing at 1.75m, Copley isn’t the most imposing figure physically, but he makes up for it with energy, intelligence, and technical quality. Comfortable sitting deep to control possession or pushing higher to link play, he gives balance to whichever side he plays in.
His leadership qualities have been clear from a young age, and that’s only grown as he’s stepped up the age groups. Now wearing the armband for the U21s, he leads by example—organising those around him, pressing with intensity, and keeping standards high in training and matches.
As Arsenal continue to nurture the next generation at Hale End, Copley has become a figure others look to, not just for his footballing ability but for the way he carries himself on and off the pitch.
Key Player
Max Dowman is quickly establishing himself as one of the standout prospects from Arsenal’s Hale End academy, already catching the eye at both U21 and senior level. Born in December 2009, he joined the Gunners’ youth setup at a young age and has risen rapidly through the age groups.
At just 15, Dowman has already broken several records. He became the youngest-ever goal scorer in the UEFA Youth League with a strike against Atalanta for the U19s, and on his first start in Premier League 2 he found the net in a 3-2 win over Wolves, becoming Arsenal’s youngest scorer in the competition.
Although he is still early in his development, Dowman has already been trusted to step into senior environments. He has trained with the first team, featured in pre-season matches, and even made his Premier League debut—winning a penalty in a 5-0 victory over Leeds.
Primarily an attacking midfielder but also capable of playing out wide, Dowman is admired for his dribbling ability, creativity, sharp movement, and remarkable composure for his age. With his natural talent and fearless approach, he’s quickly becoming a player football fans from across the world are eager to follow.
