Barcelona will send their Juvenil A squad to compete alongside Arsenal’s Under 18’s at the 2011 Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup in July. The Catalan giants confirmed their place in the ‘SuperGroup’ yesterday.
Arsenal announced they had accepted an invitation to enter the competition earlier this season, and the hosts had promised to land more big names. The SuperGroup has seen many of the best clubs in the world compete over the course of its 31 year history. These include Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea, but this will be both The Gunners and Barça’s inaugural year.
Corinthians, Tigres, Alajuelense, Chorrillo FC and Eintracht Frankfurt are set to make up a strong group at Under 19 level. Arsenal and Barcelona are among the early favourites for the competition with both having excellent achievements at youth level in recent years. Barça’s Juvenil A side boasts a selection of highly rated prospects including former Arsenal target Gerard Deuloufeu.
It will be the first trip to America by any Arsenal team while Barcelona are still exploring the US market. Dallas Cup Executive Director Gordon Jago believes the participation of both sides is a split between commercial and football reasons.
“They are going to make a push for branding in the U.S. with some personal appearances while they are here. They are planning on putting on a clinic for players and coaches in the tournament.”
Young Guns will be working alongside the Dallas Cup to bring you more information about the tournament closer to it’s start. You can view more information via their website at www.dallascup.com.
You think this might augur a foray into the US market by the Arsenal first team, say, for pre-season friendlies?
In this passage, “They are going to make a push for branding in the U.S. with some personal appearances while they are here. They are planning on putting on a clinic for players and coaches in the tournament,” who are They exactly, within the clubs? Steve Bould?! Will AW be here, running the rule over the U-18s from Mexico?
Our current U-18s are not as impressive as our last two batches although it still will be great to compare them with the barcelona youth.
J, why are this years U-18s not good as the last couple of groups? Is it their young age? Lack of physicality? Simply not as good??
i think this group is not as hyped as the last 2 were. but i still believe that they are as good as their predecessors. what u think JS…. do u think i have got it right?
why are we sending our u18’s when other teams are sending their u19’s ?
Probably because the youth teams in England is U18, while in other countries it may be U19 instead. Though I’m expecting some of the younger reserve team players to take some part in the tournament anyway.
Can anyone send me a link for the England France match?
Given the U18’s current form, we had better be playing at the top of our game, because if we are not then it will not be pretty.
The Dallas Cup site says the tournament will take place in April, not in July.
The Under 18’s are very young this year. They’re most 16/17 year olds in their first season at this level.
Over the last two seasons we’ve had 17/18 year old players and a good balance. We’ll see the best of this crop next year for sure.
“It will be the first trip to America by any Arsenal team”
Pretty sure Arsenal played some pre-season matches in USA when George Graham was manager
Keep in mind that we might not send the u18 group but rather a group that meet the specifications. Even Wilshere/Frimpong/Aneke/Afobe/Galindo/Wellington could play
we played independiente in miami in 1989
it was a pre season friendly and was live on itv on a sunday night
we won 2-1
rocky got both goals the 2nd was a penalty after adams was brought down
gus ceaser was sent off
It isn’t the first trip by an Arsenal team, mark is right, we actually played friendlies in the states in early 90s due to David Dein and his business contacts I think in Miami (where I believe his wife was originally from). Bare in the mind this was some time before Man Ure began their tedious yearly sojourn and certainly far ahead of Chelsea (and now Man City)who any older gooner will inform you were little known outside the UK and most of Europe until the early 90s and then only thanks to the oligarch’s money etc.
Samir Nasir’s Arsenal Goal vs FC Porto is shortlisted by FIFA as one of the 10 best goals of the year!
Vote for Nasri’s goal for the inaugural Ballon D’or Goal of the Year Award.
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/puskasaward/video=1335425/index.html
I hope Arsenal can get some name recognition done in the USA, the more money the better and Barcelona is obviously a great opponent, Im sure thierry will help promote the club in the us.