Taking a break from their hectic schedule of domestic action, the majority of Arsenal’s U18 side (albeit playing under the U19 banner) are currently in the United States competing in the Dallas Cup.
The tournament has proved to be a useful experience for the young Gunners so far, and, although results haven’t exactly gone to plan, they still managed to negotiate their way through the group stages by virtue of goals scored, setting up an intriguing semi-final clash with Manchester United.
Arsenal have had to cope without two of their standout starlets, with Tyreece John-Jules and Xavier Amaechi both away on international duty, while others who could have made the trip but didn’t include Reiss Nelson, Joao Virginia, Zech Medley and the injured Emile Smith Rowe.
There are still some exciting prospects in this group, however, including striker Folarin Balogun, who has again demonstrated his clinical nature in front of goal, and midfielder Matt Smith, who possesses a penchant for unlocking defences with precise passes.
Getting past a United team that contains Tahith Chong, one of the most highly regarded youngsters in world football, won’t be an easy task, but Arsenal can themselves call upon a player with much potential in winger Bukayo Saka, who has continued to his excel with his driving runs and excellent close control.
Winning the Dallas Cup would give Arsenal an injection of confidence going into the closing stages of the season and could inspire Kwame Ampadu’s side to further glory in the FA Youth Cup.
Arsenal last competed in the Dallas Cup in 2011, when they reached the last four, but of that squad, which contained the likes of Emmanuel Frimpong and Roarie Deacon, only Emiliano Martinez is still an Arsenal player, and he is currently on loan at Getafe.
That should serve as a reminder to the current crop of just how difficult it is to succeed at Arsenal in the long-term, but for now their focus is on winning silverware and ending their trip to the United States on a high.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
It does show how hard it is to get from the U18s (and earlier teams) to the first team, a very rare event. Jack about the only current player that has come right the way through and played a lot in recent memory.
Gibbs? Coq?
Also if a teams stature is based on their youth academy then Southampton should have ours and utds PL record combined.
And Real Madrid would be at stevenage’s level.
There’s pressure to create wonder kids from the big clubs but having a talented youngster and a talented youngster turning into a superstar are rare occurrences.
Last time Arsenal came to Dallas Cup the club paid for a breakfast for all of us Dallas Gooners and held a Q&A with Steve Bould, since he was the academy coach at the time. He looked like he could have kicked the shite out of everyone in the pub but was super nice and spent time chatting with us after the Q&A. He was surprisingly candid about the 1st banter era we were in at the time. Anyway, good fella. Good times.