Arsenal V Fulham – Under 18s – Match Preview

Arsenal host Fulham tomorrow morning at London Shenley, in their first game since becoming champions of Group A and booking themselves a place in the play-offs against Aston Villa.

The final game of the season leaves manager Steve Bould tough decisions to make. Does he put out a strong team to make sure they win and keep the momentum, or does he look at options for next season by including some of the Under 16 players and rest his side ahead of the play offs later this month.

With news in the week that Sunderland have won Group D, we now know the route our young guns will have to take if they want to win the trophy come the end of the season.

April 26

Manchester City V Sunderland (11am)
Aston Villa V Arsenal (13.00)

The winners will go through to the final on the 3rd of May, should Arsenal beat Villa and get to the final they will play at the Emirates Stadium, so a huge incentive for Bould’s boys.

Team News

Arsenal will be without Henri Lansbury (Lack Of Fitness) and Gavin Hoyte (International Duty) added to Kerrea Gilbert and Vito Mannone who are both ineligible. As Steve Bould will have a full squad to choose from, expect some Under 16s players to be on the bench, names like Chuks Aneke, Oliver Nicholas, Rhema Obed and Jason Banton could all be involved.

Predicted Team

Szczesny
Blackwood – Bartley – Thomas (c) – Evina
Frimpong – Ayling
Watt – Wilshere – Freeman
Murphy

In recent weeks Arsenal have faced mid tabled or lowly opposition but Fulham offer a much tougher test as they are only two places below Arsenal in the table. Former Gunner Keanu Marsh-Brown will line up against his former employers in a tough fixture.

Fulham have conceded the least goals in Group A, however they have also scored the least so are the draw specialists, their tenacious nature should offer a physical yet exciting encounter.

Prediction – Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

Article By – J.Sanderson

13 thoughts on “Arsenal V Fulham – Under 18s – Match Preview

  • April 18, 2008 at 1:25 pm
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    i thought this game was an away fixture?

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  • April 18, 2008 at 3:57 pm
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    Having seen Keanu Marsh-Brown play for the England U16’s team last year he looked twice the right back that Sam Byles was so i find it very strange that Arsenal did not think he was good enough to play for them and released him? IMO

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  • April 18, 2008 at 4:06 pm
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    Well, maybe it was an attitude problem or maybe we should just trust the youth coaches know what they are doing.

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  • April 18, 2008 at 4:12 pm
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    Well if they being the Arsenal Youth coaches think that Sam Byles is a better prospect at right back than Keanu Marsh-Brown then they must be seeing something that i dont, and from what i have read about Keanu Marsh-Brown he is not a trouble maker and is actualy very quiet as a kid so i dont think it could have been an attitude problem mabey they just had a brain fart when the chose to get rid of him?

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  • April 18, 2008 at 4:44 pm
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    Byles is an Arsenal fan, and has been superb this season for the Under 16s, making several assists.

    So it seems Byles fits our style better.

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  • April 18, 2008 at 6:56 pm
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    Somebody needs to do a playing highlight video of Jack Wilshere because i personally thinK that it would be worth watching IMO

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  • April 18, 2008 at 8:27 pm
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    wats the situation with lansbury i hear his contract runs up next summer so arsenal better get him a pro contract or we could be losing the next english icon.

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  • April 18, 2008 at 8:53 pm
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    Munce

    I cannot conferm this but i read on another Arsenal blog the the Arsenal coaching staff are waiting for his blood levels to get back to normal after his recent bout with Glandular Fever which should take about amonth before offering him a 4 year contract

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  • April 18, 2008 at 9:01 pm
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    a four year contract that means hes the most talented player at the club. He s got to be in the CC next season hes too good for reserves football

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