Tomorrow’s play off semi-final against Aston Villa is the reward for a tough nine month season for Arsenal’s Under 18’s, Which has seen Steve Bould’s boys win Academy Group A with two fixtures left.
The season started in August with a 3-1 win over Chelsea, in which Nacer Barazite, Mark Randall, Havard Nordtveit and Vincent Van Den Berg all featured, and it finished last weekend with Conor Henderson, Thomas Cruise and Luke Freeman all turning out.
From looking at those two sides Steve Bould selected, it shows not only the transition and development of Arsenal’s Academy, but also the quality we have at all levels. That quality has seen some impressive results with both experienced and more recently inexperienced sides, and Liam Brady and all the Hale End coaching staff will take heart from that.
Before Arsenal take to the field at Villa Park tomorrow, the other semi-final between Sunderland and Manchester City will take place. Sunderland are the firm underdogs against the FA Youth Cup finalists City, who are probably the favourites to win the Academy trophy.
So it means Arsenal will know who they will face in the final before the kick off should they beat Aston Villa. Yesterday we analysed our chances of winning the trophy, if you did not catch that i would suggest giving it a look at if you have some time.
Team News
Steve Bould will have an almost full strength side to chose from for the play offs. However he will be without Henri Lansbury (Lack Of Fitness), Havard Nordtveit (International Duty), Kerrea Gilbert (Ineligible), Vito Mannone (Ineligible), and Kyle Bartley (Foot).
Lansbury is back in training and will be fit for the start of next season, but its the most recently addition to that list Kyle Bartley that is the most disappointing. He captained the team last weekend but left the field with a foot injury and looks set to miss the season.
The Gunners are expected to line up as shown below, but there are decisions to be made at the back and in midfield. Neil Banfield and Arsene Wenger could want Jay Emmanuel-Thomas for their games on Monday and Tuesday, and should he miss out Luke Ayling will drop to centre back with Craig Eastmond coming in to midfield.
Szczesny
Blackwood – Cruise – Thomas – Evina
Frimpong – Ayling
Watt – Wilshere – Freeman
Murphy
Aston Villa are not to be feared, we have already beaten them 4-1 earlier this season and despite not having some of the players that featured that day we posses a lot of talent throughout the ranks.
Captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas believes the disappointment of going out at this stage last year, will spur them on this time around:
“We have a great chance to win the Academy Trophy this year. I know that the team last season got to the semis and were beaten by Leicester, but I feel we can go a step further and are all focused on winning the tournament. We are playing some good football and are getting the results too.”
Quotes From Arsenal.com
Prediction – Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
If you wish to go and show your support to Steve Bould and his side, or get a glimpse of the talent for the future its a 1pm kick off at Villa Park tomorrow.
Article By – J.Sanderson
How do you mean Wenger could want Thomas for the monday game?
You mean against Derby?
yep, plus the Reserves game also at Villa Park on Tuesday
If you think you have nothing to fear against Villa you may be in for a big shock. I am sure Arsenal have a good side, but so do Villa. Unlucky to lose in the Youth Cup semi final, winners of their Academy League and most of the youngsters featured in the reserve team that won their league. I am sure it will be a terrific game, but if you underestimate our kids you do so at your peril.
Arsenal wiped the floor with your kids before, you got battered 4-1 and completly out played.
Arsenal’s young side are scoring for fun, and most of them are internationals and train with the first team week in week out.
For sure it will be a top game, but if you rest of previous results you will get beaten.
Your only as good as your last game.
Whens the home leg?
lol – J.Sand – priceless retort, you sound like me on the terraces, I miss the fan-banter over here in NY, love hearing it thought. Great site and keep up the great work.
Villa won’t have a chance against Wilshere. I don’t doubt that they have a good side but I think we are better. At least I know that our strongest U-18 would probably win Derby and Fulham’s first teams. If we had Merida and Nordveit with us we would be unbeatable. Barazite and Fonte on the bench will be a good arsenal if we get into trouble.
This is a 50/50 game
Bould Names the squad
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/under-18s-named-team-for-villa-freeman-dropped/
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