An Arsenal U20 side, effectively comprised of the club’s current U18 squad, is competing in a tournament in Indonesia, with the young Gunners having got off to a mixed start.
First up was a clash against Indonesia U20s, who evidently seemed more accustomed to the sweltering heat than Arsenal.
Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat, with Sam Greenwood on the scoresheet, but the game proved to be a useful learning curve for Ken Gillard’s side as they tested themselves against an opponent rather different from the ones that they usually face.
Then came a game against Inter Milan, and Arsenal managed to prevail on this occasion as they secured a 1-0 victory.
Schoolboy Marcelo Flores scored and enhanced his burgeoning reputation with another impressive display.
Signed from Ipswich Town, Flores is usually deployed as a central midfielder and plays slick passes with regularity.
Next up is an eagerly-anticipated clash against Real Madrid as Arsenal seek to make it through to the knockout stages.
Some of the high-profile names in this Arsenal squad include Ben Cottrell, who has already featured prominently for the U23s this season, and another midfielder, Charlie Patino, who has also been impressive of late.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Well done Young guns, now to beat RM and move on to the group stages in preparation for winning the epl in 2024-25.
As an Indonesian Gooner who watched the game. I hoped there was a scout in the arsenal youth traveling staff to recruit some of the promising Indonesian youngster who actually won the u-19.
My personal recommendation is our 17 years old enthusiastic full-back Bagus Kaffa. In the very least he won’t come out worse than Lichtsteiner.
Hi. Liverpool fan here, but we are in the same hotel in Bali. The team are a credit to the club, so well behaved and polite. Good luck in the rest of the games. Yes it is very very hot