Arsenal’s senior side aren’t the only squad at the club preparing for a cup semi final. The U-18s embark on a two legged F.A. Youth Cup semi final with their Chelsea counterparts this week, with the first leg at Stamford Bridge this Thursday night.
Arsenal are bidding to win the tournament for the first time since 2009, when a team featuring Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin and Jay Emmanuel Thomas prevailed over Liverpool in the final.
Arsenal and Chelsea’s U-19s played off in a thrilling NextGen semi final in Lake Como last year, with Chelsea eventually edging it 4-3 after extra time. Chelsea also knocked Arsenal out of the F.A. Youth Cup in the 4 the round in 2011. The young Gunners will be hoping for better luck this time. Arsenal U-18s keeper Josh Vickers is looking forward to a testing affair this year.
On the excitement for the semi-finals…
We’re really looking forward to it. I’m hoping there will be a big crowd in both games. This age group has had a big rivalry with Chelsea ever since we were in the under-8s or under-9s so a lot of their team have been there for a long time and a lot of our time have been there for a long time.
On the run to the semi-finals…
We’ve had different places to go. We started off with Torquay and we won 5-0 and then going away to Peterborough on a tough pitch but there was some excellent individual performances. Charlton was a different type of performance. We had to battle for it and Charlton moved the ball quickly from back to front. The last round at the Emirates was a bit more about our attacking performance and we managed to get through.
On playing at two big stadiums…
You work to play in big stadiums like that so it will be a fantastic experience for us and the youth teams have got a good record at Emirates.
On the approach in the first leg…
We will obviously go out to win in the first leg but if we do go behind or get a draw we know we’ve got the home support back at the Emirates. I think it’s an advantage that we’ve got the second leg at home. If we can keep ourselves in the game at Stamford Bridge then we’ll be confident of getting through.
On how much it will mean to get to the final of the Youth Cup…
It will be massive. It will be something that will stay on your personal record for life. If you look at the 2009 team that won it, they still talk about it so it will stay with you for the rest of your career.
On winning for the coaching staff…
They put endless amount of work in. They’re at the training ground at 7 0’Clock each day to prepare stuff for us. The training is good and we watch videos of opposing teams before the games. It will be nice to repay them by winning it.
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Tickets for the game are £4 adults, £2 concessions, available from Arsenal.com.
Huh…!!!
Atleast Youth sides are doing better than Wenger’s men and Wenger himself.
Sick of this old man.
Please Mr.Wenger leave.
Arsene Wenger doesn’t manage the youth team, you know…
C’mon young gunners. Show the big boys how its done.
Please Mr. Aks, leave. And take your negativity with you. This is an article about the youth team and how well it is doing, how about just getting behind them and supporting them? Instead of whining at random on here, why don’t you head down to Skunkford Bridge and cheer for our team? Or are you only happy when you’re unhappy?
I really hate Chelsea. At every level. Come on young gunners!
Oh ffs ease up with the fucking Wenger bashing. The man has done more for this club in the last 16 years than the rest of us all combined ever will, regardless of this season.
Anyway. Come on you junior Gunners! (Which was going to be my initial reaction till I saw this puddle pirate bashing Wenger).
So just like your name you are unknown to the facts that we will be fighting for FOURTH again.
And may i remind you that 6-0, 6-3, 5-1 scorelines and not being active enough in the transfer market? Puny fan
If my grammar is bad I apologise, just had ALL the tequilas after finishing mid term test week. I don’t want to be that awkward tit hating on peeps then sounding like an idiot myself. As you were, gentlemen.
Oh come on now.
Will shut it please. Don’t talk out of topic or atleast rubbish.
Okay dumbass. Puny fan? Where were you for the 3 months we topped the League? Beat pool out of the FA? Beat Dortmund? I didn’t say Wenger is above question, nor did I refute our transfer failings. But this is a goddamned article about our youths and you just came here with the same tired-ass Wenger out shite. Ps. our first team is in the semis just like these guys therefore they are pretty much on par with the young guns. Done feeding the trolls now.
What did we get by staying at the top of the league for ao long?
Welcome to reality you idiot. Just open your eyes and watch who is at the top of the league.
Fans like you scream and shout at Wenger when our team lose any match and if we win just a single game after losing 4 matches you will praise Wenger like he won us the league.
Asshole.
Fans like you are as inconsistent as our team.
Neither you will totally support Wenger nor you will be totally against him.
Grow some balls and choose a side. And if i will be right at the end of the season then have some balls ti take the blame for supporting the wrong person.
A great opportunity for the lads to write their own destinies. A very talented bunch, let’s pray for the little bit of luck they need.
COYJG
That’s where you are wrong, mate. I don’t have to prove shit to you. I’ve never “screamed and shouted” at Wenger. What I WILL scream and shout at are dimwits who show utter disrespect to people who have helped making this club what it is. Neither you or me would last a month doing Wenger’s job- so why dont we just agree to disagree and stop with the mudslinging.
Alright you slum, we’ll wait and watch till the end of the season. And if after losing any match you will shout,scream, abuse etc. against Wenger you will be the biggest pimp i’d have ever talk to.
Remember my words “MATE”.
Don’t feed the troll
Calm
Good luck boys!
I’ve been out of the country for 30 years, haven’t been able to see a game when I’ve been back, so, can someone tell me what the hell 2 pounds for concessions means.
I wish I could be there to see the Young Gunners in person.
So everyone at Arsenal has a semi? Maybe Wenger was right about those supplements.
YES, I’ll get my coat, thankyouverymuch!
Noel, I think concessions are OAP’s (old age pensioners), kids (I think under 16) and students.
Thanks Gooner. Here in the US, concessions are the food & drink stands. Hence my confusion.
sail away , sail away, sail away
Come on, young guns! Let’s do a youth and senior Cup double!
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Thanks. Dealt with.
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