Arsenal’s under-21s will face League One Peterborough United and League Two sides Cambridge United and Northampton Town in the group stages of the 2019/20 EFL Trophy.
The Gunners Academy entered the competition, previously known as the Checkatrade Trophy, for the first time last year.
Encouraging wins against Coventry and Forest Green Rovers sandwiched a hammering at the hands of Cheltenham Town before Portsmouth knocked us out 2-1 at Fratton Park in December.
Following the draw on @talkSPORT, here are the confirmed groups for Round One of the #EFLTrophy.
First ties will be played week commencing 2 September. #EFL pic.twitter.com/GRizgW1R0j
— EFL Trophy (@EFL_Trophy) July 12, 2019
The EFL Trophy was reformatted in 2016/17 to allow 16 under-21 sides from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs to take part against the 48 clubs in League One and League Two.
Per Mertesacker and Freddie Ljungberg decided the chance to face senior opponents, albeit those further down England’s football ladder, could provide vital experience to our young prospects.
A trip to Wembley is the prize that Steve Bould, back in charge of the under-23s for the first time since 2012, will be aiming for when things get going in September.
If we’re going to build from the bottom up, given the financial position, this is as good a place as any to start with the re-jigged backroom set up.
Maybe, just maybe, this will be our best chance to win something this season.
Finally get to see arsenal v Northampton! (my hometown)