Report: Arsenal Suspend 2 Coaches over Alleged Bullying of Young Players

Arsenal have reportedly suspended U23 coaches Steve Gatting and Carl Laraman pending an investigation into allegations of bullying.

Latyh Yousif of the Islington Gazette quoted an unnamed source saying an investigation has been started following complaints from some youth players.

Gatting and Laraman were both absent from Tuesday's 1-0 defeat in the Premier League International Cup final against Porto at the Emirates Stadium. It meant U18 boss Kwame Ampadu took charge.

An Arsenal spokesman told Yousif: "We have suspended two coaches and launched an investigation following complaints from some players. These are private matters and we will not discuss any further detail."

Arsene Wenger is thought not to have known about the complaints.

Gatting and Laraman presided over a hugely successful for the Gunners at U23 level. They guided a young team—featuring 18-year-olds Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah—to the PL2 title.

Squawka Football detailed how the young Gunners won the prize:

These allegations come after former youth Chelsea players said they were subjected to bullying and racial abuse from coaches Gwyn Williams and Graham Rix in the 1980s, per Daniel Taylor of the Guardian.

The news comes ahead of some planned change in the Arsenal academy, with first-team skipper Per Mertesacker set to take charge of operations after he retires from playing at the end of the current season.