Morning all.
The managerial merry-go-round continues to move as Mauricio Pochettino appears to be on the verge of becoming Chelsea’s new boss whilst his old club have sacked their interim manager, Cristian Stellini after Totts were battered by Newcastle Utd on Sunday. I’m refraining from laughing too much over that result as we’re heading up to St James Park very soon. Julian Nagelsmann continues to be linked with the Totts job but he’ll only take it if he has the final say on transfers. At least that’s what the newspapers are saying.
I’m bad, I forgot to mention the womens game in yesterday’s post. Just like the mens team on Friday night, they found themselves 2-0 down early in the game against Wolfsburg in the WCL semi-final on Sunday. The second coming after an Arsenal mistake. A goal just before half-time and another in the second half means it’s honours even going into the second leg which takes place at The Emirates on Monday 1st May at 5-45pm. 46,000 tickets have been sold already which is fantastic.
Tonight, Jack Wilshere and his under 18 team take on West Ham in the FA Youth Cup Final which also takes place at The Emirates Stadium. The last time Arsenal won this trophy it was back in 2009 under Steve Bould.
Doesn’t he look young…..
Not many from the 2009 youth cup squad are still playing. Kyle Bartley is at West Brom, Luke Ayling, Leeds Utd, Henri Lansbury, Luton Town, Francis Coquelin, Villarreal – the rest have either retired from the game or playing at a lower level, but then they are in their early 30’s.
The squad for the semi-final win over Man City was:
Arsenal XI: Cooper, Rosiak, Robinson, Walters, Sousa, Ibrahim, Lewis-Skelly, Gower (Oulad M’Hand, 60), Cozier-Duberry, Benjamin (Kamara, 80), Nwaneri (Ferdinand, 112 [Kacurri, 120]).
Subs not used: Rojas, Brown, Nichols
I wonder how many of them will still be at the club in five years time. Not many I’d imagine. In fact some of them might not even be at the club next season.
Anyway, good luck to them for tonight.
Meanwhile, the men are gearing up for a crucial fixture tomorrow night. What might have been just three points on offer has now become a ‘lose and the dream is over’ match. Man City are red hot favourites to beat Mikel Arteta’s side with ease, which is understandable because it’s been a long time since Arsenal have beaten a City team in the League. Also, Arsenal have dipped in form, certainly defensively. Mistakes have been made and they’ve been punished hard. Lady Luck has certainly deserted us in our time of need.
Michael Oliver will officiate the game which doesn’t bode well for Arsenal as City have picked up 31 wins in 41 games with him as the referee. Arsenal’s record under Oliver is the fourth worst in the Premier League. Don’t despair though as this season, Mikel Arteta’s team has won every game Oliver has refereed.
Lastly, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has confirmed he’s leaving Arsenal at the end of the season. What a waste of talent though because if he’d have knuckled down and concentrated on becoming a full-back, he might have had a very different Arsenal career under Mikel Arteta. Instead, he chased a midfield dream which never really got going. Still, he’s only 25 years old so a new challenge might do him the world of good.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all.
Glad to hear our ladies’ team and the other passengers are all safe.
I still feel that we will beat Man City, as everyone expects them to win and it will put the pressure more on them, then us.
Good morning all.
The F A Youth Cup Final is available on the F A YouTube, Face Book and Tik Tok channels . Not that I subscribe to any of them, but I might try to log in somewhere.
Best of luck to Jack Wilshire and his boys tonight.
Morning Geoff, Cicero, all.
Depends which Arsenal team arrives in Manchester I guess, if it’s the same one we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks, we will struggle.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
For those who would like to watch tonights game
it is live on Arsenal.Com frome just before Kick off
Thats just before 7pm
Come on you Boys
Do we have Saliba available for tomorrow?
I’m watching Arsenal-WH. A complete disaster.
No Saliba JM, and 1 – 5 is truly a disaster.
Not a good night for Jack and the boy’s, but there is always next year.
If two or three of our youth team progress to the senior squad/team then that’s a success andthat has to be the priority.
I’ve seen Arsenal win the FAYC and none or possibly one player has come through.
It’s always nice to win things but sometimes losing teaches you more , as Kev said being a top youth player doesn’t always transfer to a successful adult career.
However their is another lesson to be learned tonight .No matter how you try to spin things the result tonight is probably the most important one of our young squads life.
It is our World cup final , despite having led the league all season we go into the Etihad as the underdogs. The whole world and his dog expect us to get beaten as far as the media is concerned the question is how many we lose by.
More to follow.