Results aren’t always the most important aspect of youth football but victories can be used an indication that you have a talented group of players at your disposal.
Of late there have been some concerning results for Arsenal at youth level, with the U21s being knocked out of the EFL Trophy, while the U19s are in serious danger of being eliminated from the UEFA Youth League at the league phase.
Arsenal U18s, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first win in the league since Adam Birchall was appointed as the replacement for Jack Wilshere.
The FA Youth Cup, widely renowned as the most prestigious youth competition in the country, could provide Birchall and his players with the chance to build up some momentum.
Arsenal have been drawn away to Hertford Town or Bristol Rovers in the third round and will be looking to fare considerably better in the competition than they did last season, when they were thrashed 7-1 away to Liverpool in the fourth round.
Birchall was part of the coaching staff when Arsenal reached the Youth Cup final two seasons ago, with the young Gunners losing to West Ham on that occasion.
This season Arsenal can call upon Ayden Heaven, who is an established part of the U21 team but is still eligible to feature for the U18s.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are still eligible to play in the Youth Cup this season but it remains to be seen if they will do so due to their first-team commitments.
Birchall will be hoping that Arsenal can enjoy a lengthy run in the competition and bring a greater feeling of positivity to the academy as a whole.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorge_bird
