The Under-18s Thread

[TromsoGooner]

So @MutableEarth, which youth striker will step up and fire us to PL and CL glory?

 

[MutableEarth]

So @MutableEarth, which youth striker will step up and fire us to PL and CL glory?

Unfortunately nobody.

Andre Annous is the best bet and it would be a risk as he's not quite there yet but he's a better prospect than the current u21s, even the ones I like.
I could maybe see Khayon Edwards being decent.

 

[MutableEarth]

BTW guys, our next Youth Cup opponents will be Man United.

You'll never guess who their star striker of the tournament so far is

 

[scytheavatar]

Unfortunately nobody.

Andre Annous is the best bet and it would be a risk as he's not quite there yet but he's a better prospect than the current u21s, even the ones I like.
I could maybe see Khayon Edwards being decent.

Beggars can't be choosers..... who can we play as a body in the starting XI, that is the most likely to prevent us from dropping points, without giving a **** about the future?

 

[MutableEarth]

Beggars can't be choosers..... who can we play as a body in the starting XI, that is the most likely to prevent us from dropping points, without giving a **** about the future?

Probably Charles Sagoe Jr. He's the best of the three attackers that went to Dubai IMO, and at least has demonstrated in the past (albeit at youth level) that he can score important goals at crucial times more often. Kabia is fast, but profligate. Butler-Oyedeji is decent technically and a quite good dribbler but ultimately is also profligate - his numbers at U21 level over the last 6 months may suggest otherwise but they're off the back of scoreless (and assist-less) loans to League One.

 

[balthazar]

Unfortunately nobody.

Andre Annous is the best bet and it would be a risk as he's not quite there yet but he's a better prospect than the current u21s, even the ones I like.
I could maybe see Khayon Edwards being decent.

Too bad Chido left. Might have had a chance in the first team

 

[Sulosky]

Too bad Chido left. Might have had a chance in the first team

 

[RunTheTrap]

Hi @MutableEarth hope you had a smashing Valentine's day. Back to business. Is this guy better than Sterling? Please say yes.

 

[avenellroad]

My boy Dan Casey showing levels.

 

[NieThePiet]

Shouldn't the club try to involve Harriman-Annous into the first team training?

With all respect to Butler, but we all know he won't make it here and Arteta doesn't even subbed him in a game vs Leicester.

While Annous is probably the most talented forward from our U18 at the moment?

 

[lomekian]

Damn right, at this rate he'd be on the bench every week

 

[MutableEarth]

Hi @MutableEarth hope you had a smashing Valentine's day. Back to business. Is this guy better than Sterling? Please say yes.

PS. I had a great V Day, thank you!

Probably Different positions though.

Dan Casey reminds me a lot of Aaron Ramsey tbh. Very swashbuckling style of CM. Great ball striking and creativity but also works hard. He could make a LW role work but not at PL level .

Shouldn't the club try to involve Harriman-Annous into the first team training?

With all respect to Butler, but we all know he won't make it here and Arteta doesn't even subbed him in a game vs Leicester.

While Annous is probably the most talented forward from our U18 at the moment?

He is involved in first team training already tbf. They still don't really want to take the chance with him yet. Have to consider how quickly he's risen up the ranks. He is a first year and only turned 17 a couple months ago.

 

[MutableEarth]

U18s highlights: Southampton 2-5 Arsenal

Watch at: U18s highlights: Southampton 2-5 Arsenal

The highlights for yesterday's 5-2 win vs Southampton.

Louis Zecevic-John is the one who stands out here for me. He's such a great outlet. Super quick, direct and always carries threat. One to watch.

Dan Casey really is a fabulous finisher. He could probably retrain as a #9 but he does such good work in midfield.

 

[MutableEarth]

U18s highlights: Arsenal 2-3 Brighton & Hove Albion

Watch at: Arsenal FC Official Website | Home | Arsenal.com

‐------------------

Narrow loss for the u18s. Not much to write home about except the bad news about Zecevic-John picking up an injury in this game. Big loss as he's one of our form attackers. His replacement Brando Bailey-Joseph scored a very good goal and looked very bright in the highlights. Definitely a player with big potential.

 

[MutableEarth]

After overcoming Hertford Town, QPR and Fulham to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, Arsenal U18s are now preparing to take on Manchester United.

Here’s a look at how Adam Birchall’s side could line up for the clash at Emirates Stadium.

Goalkeeper

Jack Porter, who already possesses experience of playing in a senior game at Emirates, is set to start in goal, with Khari Ranson on the bench. U16 goalkeeper Jack Talbot could be third choice.

Defence

Theo Julienne is one of Arsenal’s standout prospects but he has been absent recently due to injury.

If Julienne is out against United then schoolboy Marli Salmon could be deployed at right-back, with Brayden Clarke an alternative option.

Should Salmon play at right-back then Clarke may be used alongside captain Will Sweet at centre-back, although Samuel Onyekachukwu, who has played a key part in the competition so far, will also in contention to start.
There is also a decision to make regarding who starts at left-back as it is likely to be a close-fought battle between Cam’ron Ismail and Josh Ogunnaike.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is still eligible to feature in the competition and is suspended for tonight’s first-team game against Nottingham Forest but it remains to be seen if he will feature against United.

Midfield

Ife Ibrahim is well established as Arsenal’s first-choice option at the base of the midfield and he could have Dan Casey and Louie Copley ahead of him.

Max Dowman, who is back from international duty with England U17s, could play in midfield but he may be most effective on the right wing.

U16 midfielder Teshaun Murisa has also filled in at right-back at times and could make the squad.

Ethan Nwaneri is eligible but is very much involved with the first-team at present.

Attack

Louis Zecevic John has been one of the standout performers for the U18s recently but the attacker is a doubt for this game due to injury.

Therefore, Dowman could be deployed on the right with Andre Harriman-Annous up front and Ceadach O’Neill on the left.

Schoolboy winger Brando Bailey-Joseph is also an option to consider.

Possible Arsenal U18 team v Manchester United:

Porter

Salmon-Clarke-Sweet-C. Ismail

Ibrahim

Casey-Copley

Dowman-Harriman Annous-O’Neill

Subs: Ranson, Onyekachukwu, Ogunnaike, Murisa, Marciniak, Bailey-Joseph, Oyetunde.

Injury doubts: Julienne, Zecevic John.

Other options: Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Fisher, Clairmont, Kuczynski, Shuaib, Chapman, Frohock, Hashi, Owusu-Gyasi, Sampang, Stachow, Talbot, Tomlin, Sesay, Odaji-Ukueku.

I'd probably want to start Bailey-Joseph if Zecevic-John is out but Casey and Copley will give us plenty of legs against a good United team. Bailey-Joseph will be a nice weapon to have off the bench in that case.

 

[MutableEarth]

For those who want to watch. Will be a good watch for sure although I think we'll lose this one. United strong at this level and having a great season so far. Will be seeing likes of Dowman, Harriman-Annous and Casey perform in this match. Ceadach O'Neill will be one to watch too. I'm hoping that Zecevic-John is OK but if not, then I'd like to see Brando Bailey-Joseph get some minutes. Think if it comes down to the wire, he's a difference maker even as a schoolboy.

 

[MutableEarth]

For those who want to watch. Will be a good watch for sure although I think we'll lose this one. United strong at this level and having a great season so far. Will be seeing likes of Dowman, Harriman-Annous and Casey perform in this match. Ceadach O'Neill will be one to watch too. I'm hoping that Zecevic-John is OK but if not, then I'd like to see Brando Bailey-Joseph get some minutes. Think if it comes down to the wire, he's a difference maker even as a schoolboy.

Been confirmed that Chido Obi won't be involved tonight. Won't make United any less dangerous with Scanlon and Bandato in top form this season.

 

[MutableEarth]

Game is finally near! Can't stress what a big game this is for our very young U18 team against one of the best U18 sides this season. Pretty defensive looking lineup with Teshaun Murisa starting a big game alongside Ife Ibrahim and Louie Copley. Casey starts on the bench.

Annous and Dowman will be our main threats so need big games from them. Our backline looks pretty powerful aswell but they will be tested by one of the best attacks.

The games on Arsenal.com and I will be tuning in aswell

 

[MutableEarth]

Started with a real lack of confidence so far. Loose touches from players who usually are much cleaner in possession.
Defending OK though.

 

[MutableEarth]

Some good moments from Ibrahim, Dowman and Annous so far. Murisa looks a bit overawed.