Arsenal’s pre-season plans announced

Arsenal will once again be playing at Underhill

Arsenal have announced their pre-season plans for the 2008/2009 season with fixtures scheduled against Real Madrid, Juventus and Barnet amongst others.

Arsene Wenger’s side will wear their new kit for the first time when they take on Barnet in the traditional friendly at Underhill. The reserves will continue to play at the venue next season, and several of the youngsters could be on the bench for this fixture, with the Gunners set to name a large squad for this fixture.

Next up is the trip to Stuttgart on July 30th in a match to mark the re-naming of their stadium. A couple of reserve players may feature in this match.

Then it is time for the second annual Emirates Cup tournament, with Hamburg, Juventus and Real Madrid the visitors. Arsenal will play against the latter two clubs in what is sure to be a fascinating event.

With the new season just around the corner, the Gunners will take on Huddersfield Town on August 6th and given the opposition, you are inclined to believe that many of Arsenal’s talented youngsters could be on show in this match.

This is in addition to the previously announced friendly against Dorchester Town, due to take place on May 6th.

I will of course be providing reports on all of these fixtures with special focus on the young players that feature.

Arsenal under-18s v Bristol City- Match preview

Arsenal under-18s take on Bristol City tomorrow morning in their penultimate league fixture of the campaign, with a victory meaning that they win Group A. Steve Bould’s side is in good form going into this fixture after two consecutive 3-0 victories over MK Dons and Millwall. Victory would more or less seal a play-off place, where the Gunners would take on Group B winners Aston Villa, before facing the winner of the game between the Group C and Group D champions in the final. Arsenal reached the play-offs last season, but went out in the semi-finals to Leicester. They will be looking to go all the way this time, especially as the final could take place at Emirates Stadium.

In terms of team news, Henri Lansbury is close to a return but may not be risked whilst Wojciech Szczesny injured himself in the warm-up ahead of the MK Dons game, so James Shea should deputise again.

———————Shea————————

–Eastmond—–Bartley————–Thomas(c)——Evina

–Watt———-Frimpong————Ayling—–Freeman

———————-Wilshere————————–

———————-Murphy—————————

subs: Rasmussen, Blackwood, Henderson, Cruise

		P	W	D	L	For	Agt	GD	Pts
1	Arsenal U18	26	16	4	6	72	30	+42	52
2	West Ham United U18	27	15	3	9	58	38	+20	48
3	Fulham U18	26	13	6	7	37	27	+10	45
4	Portsmouth U18	25	13	4	8	38	37	+1	43
5	Southampton U18	27	12	4	11	39	52	-13	40
6	Crystal Palace U18	25	11	5	9	52	40	+12	38
7	Chelsea U18	25	11	4	10	52	44	+7	37
8	Charlton Athletic U18	26	9	6	11	44	48	-4	33
9	Ipswich Town U18	27	9	5	13	39	50	-13	32
10	Norwich City U18	26	6	8	12	42	52	-10	26
11	Millwall U18	27	4	5	18	28	62	-34	17

Results 05.04.08	Fixtures 12.04.08
Aston Villa 4 Millwall 0
Cardiff City 1 Charlton Athletic 3
Fulham 3 Watford 1
Leicester City 2 West Ham United 0	Bristol City v Arsenal
Milton Keynes Dons 0 Arsenal 3	Charlton Athletic v Reading
Norwich City 1 Coventry City 1	Chelsea v Cardiff City
Portsmouth 3 Bristol City 1	Coventry City v Southampton
Reading 2 Chelsea 1	Leicester City v Fulham
Southampton 0 Birmingham City 2	Milton Keynes Dons v Portsmouth
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Crystal Palace 2	Norwich City v Aston Villa
Chelsea 6 Ipswich Town 4 (played Tuesday)	Tottenham Hotspur v Ipswich Town
Fulham 1 Norwich City 2 (played Tuesday)	Watford v Crystal Palace
Millwall 0 Arsenal 3 (played Tuesday)	West Ham United v Birmingham City