Arsenal U18s’ progression to the final of the FA Youth Cup means that they will have a hectic end to the season.
In total, starting from Saturday, Jack Wilshere’s team are set to play five games in just 14 days as they conclude their league campaign and also take on West Ham in the aforementioned Youth Cup final at Emirates Stadium.
Intriguingly, West Ham are also Arsenal’s next opponents in the league this Saturday, with further games to come against Leicester and Southampton. Arsenal finish their league season at home to Aston Villa on April 29th, by which point they will know whether they have been crowned Youth Cup winners.
While Arsenal U18s have excelled in the Youth Cup this season, it has been a rather different story in the league as they have struggled for consistency and haven’t managed to win two consecutive games all campaign. The young Gunners are in eighth place in the league and will be hoping to at least move up a couple of positions before the season is over.
The likes of Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters haven’t featured in the league at all this season as they have mainly been playing for the U21s, while Amario Cozier-Duberry only made one league appearance, which came at the very beginning of the campaign.
Nonetheless, some of the performances in the league have been very disappointing and in a way have had less focus because of the high-profile nature of the Youth Cup run.
At times the defence has been too vulnerable and the team have been relying on some magic from attacking players such as Omari Benjamin, Seb Ferdinand and Osman Kamara.
In the Youth Cup, though, Arsenal have shown tremendous spirit and they won’t be daunted by a very difficult task as they take on West Ham, who have some excellent prospects themselves.
The final, which takes place at Emirates Stadium on April 25th, is likely to be a very entertaining encounter.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I’d love them to win but West Ham have 48 points this season in 19 matches, top of the league, whilst Arsenal U18 have 19 points, having lost 4 of their last 5 matches. West Ham have won 4 of the last 5.
Realistically it’ll be a struggle, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for a great performance on the day (and/or like the City match, they get a player sent off early).
In the league it was 1-4 at home, the Hammers won.
I was thinking this but hoping that the league results were because some of the younger players play up in age – so the league hasn’t been the priority. Do you know if it was the full team? I hope not!
Hopefully cozier ,Walters skelly n co will be available