Following 5 weeks of stop-start playing for Arsenal’s Reserves and Youth teams, Gooners can look forward to a double header of fixtures this evening featuring some of the finest young talent in the world.
Whilst several of the promising Carling Cup youngsters will take to the field in the Champions League clash with Porto, nearly 1000 miles away in Birmingham Steve Bould will watch over another batch of starlets are they go head-to-head with Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup. The Gunners are regarded as one of the favourites to collect the trophy every year, but frequently come up short despite so much promise.
Last year’s run came to a close at the hands of Liverpool, after thrashing Burnley on route to Anfield. It’s usually the way that Arsenal get an easier opening game before tougher encounters later on, yet this campaign begins with a game against a hugely impressive Villa outfit who themselves are among the favourites to win. They boast class, experience and have an abundance of quality – all vital ingredients in the hunt for the trophy.
The class of 2008-2009 is arguably as weak as it’s ever been in terms of experience, but their form in the Academy League means the Gunners are feared up and down the country. However, progression to the League final was again halted this season, at the hands of guess who, Aston Villa. They will have the much talked about Nathan Delfouneso at their disposal, but Arsenal will put out a team filled to the brim with internationals.
French Under 19 duo Francis Coquelin and Gilles Sunu should start, but the majority of the team will be English. Under 19 regulars Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Rhys Murphy and Henri Lansbury are also in contention, whilst Under 16 strikers Luke Freeman and Benik Afobe will be on the bench. Dutchman Oğuzhan Özyakup will offer foreign flair to proceedings if selected. Sanchez Watt is fit enough for a place on the bench, but Conor Henderson is definitely out.
Kick off is at Villa Park at 7pm. If you can’t get down and watch the fixture, a full Match Report will be available shortly after full time.
Best of luck to both our young squads tonight.
Article By – J.Sanderson
No telecast for this match?
I think going forward we are better than most around. the defence is a concern at all levels of Arsenal. I am not sure defending is in the fabric of the club, but Bouldy needs to get the whole team to do their bit.
Will frimpong play the youth cup game
Thanks again for the info, I enjoy this site better than our official AFC site. It would be nice to know if and when we can see the kids live on Setanta Arsenal site? Good luck to all the sides this week
Any chances to se Eduardo play for the reserves ?
I’m afraid of Aston Villa, I have to say. They are very strong. Will they be playing Forester or is he too old for this competition? It’s almost unfair to use Delfouneso, it would be like us using Wilshere and Ramsey. I bet we could get them pretty easily with those to superstarlets in our team.
JS gotta feeling villa gonna win this game they have alot of strong players physically and they have got alot of pace in wide areas as well as up front. Delfouenso always gives bartley and cruise problems we need a strong defence. Hopefully i am wrong
nice article m8..love the snow..lol..rekon well win jay? its a strong line up..lansbury, thomas, frimpong, coquelin, sunu..ud tinnk wed win with those kinda players..i guess its all down 2 whether bartley can deal with delfounseo
I am really excited about the team (champs league) tonight. although I feel the only ‘young gun’ with the chance of a start is Vela. As i feel he(Le Prof) will go with the 1st team regulars, on the bright side tho this gives the youth some experience for what its worth.
I am a bit nervous re the FA youth game tonight simply cause the Villans seem to be the more in form team. I am hoping Henri Lansbury has a smasher of a game.
Anyone have a list of the youth squad for tonight don’t seem to be able to find it anywhere.
And I’ve Just been on Arsenal TV online it looks like its gonna be the champs game on. Anyone know where i can watch the youth game online or if its gonna be broadcasted later? I live on the Mersey you see…..
it’s SNOWING!
good luck 2nite lads
whoa i got scared bu the snow, i know yeh…..but it just popped out. anywayz i think arsenal will beat aston villa but just i put my money on a 3-2 scoreline, with sunu grabbing 2. oh and that an arsenal win. not sure how manY CC players will play against porto.
Disappointed it’s not on telly tonight. Hopefully they won’t just show 25 minutes at a later date. Come on Pongo, fire yourself up.And come on Murphy show em what you’ve (hopefully still) got.
Forester is still eligible by the way (for Villa).
Great post J, Come on Arsenal, i fink tonight’s game will be tough against Villa but i fink they can do it. If Murphy, Thomas, n Lansbury have good games i reckon we will win. We MUST keep Delfounseo n Banan quite.
Seems like it’s gonna be a top evening all around.
Agree Matthew, Banan is a very exciting young player, one to watch.
teamnews
http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1482778,00.html
Massive night for the young-guns.GOOD LUCK LADS!!!!
Good to see a bit of snow!
P.s. Let’s hope for 2 wins out of 2 tonight!
1-1. Murphy levelled after 15 mins, villa were ahead after 6 mins.
its 1-1 anyone got links rhys murphy equalised its on da villa website
can someone tell me what bendtner offers while playing upfront on his own???
Text commentry here
http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1482778,00.html
2-2 so far Murphy just equalized for us
3-2 to us now, Thomas with a the goal, an assist from Murphy
link above, 2 for collins of Villa then 2 for murphy to equalise twice.
http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1482778,00.html 3–2 so far murphy2 thomas1
i can see it already….
barcelona vs arsenal next round….
barcelona teachin the kids a passing lesson
and henry scoring against us :@..
all this because we didnt finish 1st in our group
phader, yeyeye AC Milan were pound for pound best in the previous 5 yrs before that, we beat more than the aggregate score suggested, If we play Barca, WE WILL BEAT THEM, we always perform we really need to.
Youth Cup Report
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/arsenal-3-2-aston-villa-youth-cup-match-report/
just wanna say Good work J.Sands. and congrats to comment by •[g][u][n][n][a] @ 4.22pm. correct score prediction! can i get some tips off u next game….lol.
bit dissapointed with seniors, but will go with the positives in that game. am afraid to say i never really criticized Arsene Wenger re his tactics, choices etc but its so obvious we need a proper DM some one who plays there naturally.it was so plain to see last night.
As i said i’m for the positives good one young ones with the result!!! wooo!
wat did i say 3-2 hahah im a legend.
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