LUCKY St Albans brothers Andre (nine) and Ivan (seven) Raath took part in a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Arsenal training ground last week.

Herts Advertiser: The young gunners meet Kieran Gibbs.The young gunners meet Kieran Gibbs. (Image: Archant)

The pair were two of 50 members of the club’s young supporter scheme, the Junior Gunners, to win an exclusive look around the state-of-the art facility, and had the chance to check out the team’s changing rooms, the brand new medical centre, the pitches, and even the team coach, as well as enjoying a Premier League footballer’s lunch in the players’ restaurant.

The brothers and their fellow Junior Gunners brought the day to a close with a football session in the team’s indoor training hall, where, as well as being put through their paces by Gunners’ coaches, they were met by Arsenal stars Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal.

Gibbs said: “It was great to meet Ivan, Andre and the other youngsters during their tour of the training ground. When you’re here every day, you sometimes forget what a special place it is and it was great to see the group so excited to be getting a behind the scenes look at the setup.”

Junior Gunners manager Sue Campbell said: “It was brilliant to be able to take our young fans up to London Colney to show them how the players prepare for their games. It’s one of a number of occasions during the year that our young members have the chance to get behind the scenes and meet the team, and they’re always great fun.”