Leading article: A common goal

Young people can feel justifiably harassed these days. "Too violent," they are told, "too fat, too ill-educated." What they really need, and respond to, are positive role models. So Arsenal Football Club's scheme to send its first-team players into schools to teach langauges and coach the beautiful game is to be applauded. The Double Club programme is being made available to help 1,800 pupils in the South-East of England learn languages, science and citizenship. Participating players will also be reminded of their duty to set the best example to the young.

Like Teach First, which places top-flight teaching graduates in challenging schools, Arsenal are taking the kind of creative approach that might yet stem the flow of pupils away from education and into darker pursuits.

"GOAL!" "FOUL!" The language of football needs no translation. Arsene Wenger's confession that "defeat by Hull City left me feeling physically sick" might take a bit more work.

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