Arsenal Football Club have opened their first academy in Turkey and become the first Premier League side to set up an official footballing school in the country in the process.

The North London based outfit have purchased the the Beyoglu stadium in Sutluce on the Asian side of Istanbul and the Futbol Park grounds in the nearby area of Umraniye.

The academy will train 1000 players in accordance with the Arsenal youth system and also teach them English.

Enrolment began on 28 May and Germany international of Turkish origin Mesut Ozil is expected to attend the academy at some time over the summer.

The academy is the 25th Arsenal have opened across the globe and will give the most promising young players the opportunity of joining the London based Arsenal football school and potentially the chance to play for the senior side in the future.

Arsenal have a huge following among the Turkish community in London and are one of the most popular Premier League sides in Turkey as well as Turkish Cyprus.

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