Arsenal have not won a major trophy at youth level since winning the Premier Academy League title in 2009/10, but their progression in the past week has increased the chances of that mini drought being brought to an end before the conclusion of the campaign.
Despite their inconsistent league form at U21 and U18 levels, the youngsters have made considerable progress in various cup competitions, and, as we enter March, they still have a genuine chance of success in three different tournaments.
The most noteworthy of those is the UEFA Youth League, with a hard-fought victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night setting up a glamour tie away to Barcelona in the Quarter-Finals. Arsenal started well against the Ukranian side, with Jon Toral opening the scoring, but Shakhtar equalised just before half-time and Steve Gatting’s side had to rely on a penalty from Kristoffer Olsson and a strike from close range from Serge Gnabry to ensure progression. They had to see out the game with ten men following Glen Kamara’s dismissal, but were deserved winners in the end.
The Barcelona tie is certainly an intriguing one, given the rarity with which games of such calibre come along at this level. It is clear that Arsenal are trying their utmost to win this competition given that their starting line-up on Tuesday contained two members of the first-team squad in Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem, as well as two players with Football League experience in Hector Bellerin and Chuba Akpom, with the latter being temporarily recalled from his stint at Coventry City so he could feature.
Before their trip to Spain, however, the youngsters have another major event to look forward to as they prepare to face Everton at Emirates Stadium in the Quarter-Finals of the FA Youth Cup. Everton knocked the Gunners out of the tournament in the Fifth Round last season, but Arsenal will be more confident of progression this time around, particularly following their success over Charlton Athletic in the Fifth Round last Friday, during which goalkeeper Josh Vickers made some outstanding saves, with wingers Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alex Iwobi scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory.
Then there is the U21 Premier League Cup, a competition in its inaugural season, to consider. Having dispatched of Norwich City, Fulham and Chelsea in the previous rounds, Arsenal will host Reading in the Semi-Finals, with the game also likely to be held at Emirates Stadium.
It is rather remarkable that Arsenal’s various youth sides could potentially win a treble of sorts this season. Although it is often stated that development, rather than trophies, is the primary aim for youngsters coming through the system, the taste of success so early in their careers would surely not be a bad thing for their progression.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
So is that the Bellerin mystery solved? He’s only back to help for the UEFA Youth League?
And I’m guessing the Barcelona youth side is one of the best in the world? Mouth-watering clash indeed.
Like they are looking close to ending their ‘trophy drought’… so are we!
Good times at AFC!
Can’t wait to see what they’re made of. I have really high hopes for Akpom, Zelalem, Gnabry and Bellerin. Obviously there’s talent but not all of them are going to make it into our first team, but with hard work it can be achieved.
Don’t all four of them have first team kit numbers already? 40-Bellerin, 58-Zelalem, 44-Gnabry, 37-Akpom. And haven’t they all already played for the first team (even if only the COC for Bellerin and Akpom)?
Clearly when it comes to youth systems you just have to gladly take any player at senior level that happens to progress enough, whatever position they happen to play. It’d be useful if a central defender came through in the next few years though. Since it’s impossible to get a proper overview from .com highlights alone, does anyone on here know how Ajayi has done since his arrival? What are the chances for Hayden and Miquel in that position?
Anyone? Just make some shit up, i’m not fussy.
Ajayi is training regularly with the first team
what happened to Thomas Eisefeld?