Match preview- Arsenal U18s v Ipswich Town U18s

Arsenal under-18s travel to face Ipswich tomorrow looking to put in an improved performance following unconvincing displays in their last two matches.

Those fixtures, against Norwich and Southampton, both yielded wins but the Gunners went behind on both occasions and looked vulnerable on the counter-attack. However, there have been some positives with Luke Ayling looking solid at the back and captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas leading by example.

They face an Ipswich side tomorrow who currently sit in 5th place in Premier Academy League Group A after a mixed start to the season which has seen them win as many games as they have lost. They have also conceded 11 goals and look especially vulnerable from set-pieces.

 Arsenal lost this fixture 1-0 last season, but that was in unusual circumstances for an under-18 match. The game was played at Ipswich’s Portman Road stadium in front of a large crowd and the hosts won after converting a penalty.

 The Gunners have opened up a seven point lead at the top of Premier Academy League Group A although their nearest competitors, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth both have games in hand on Arsenal. It is perhaps apt that these two teams are the next two sides which Steve Bould’s young Gunners are due to face after tomorrow.

In terms of team news, Conor Henderson (ligament damage) and Sanchez Watt (leg) remain out, but Craig Eastmond could return from injury. Steve Bould welcomes back Emmanuel Frimpong and Luke Freeman from international duty, although Oguzhan Ozyakup may have to be content with a place in the under-16s such is the competition for midfield berths. Benik Afobe won’t feature as he is away with England under-16s whilst Francis Coquelin could be given a breather ahead of the Reserves game with Fulham on Monday night.

Predicted team:

————————Shea—————————

—–Obed—–Bartley————Ayling——Cruise

–Eastmond–Frimpong——-Thomas (c)–Sunu

————- Murphy———- Freeman———-

subs: Deacon, Rasmussen, Byles, Evina, Blackwood.

Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 11AM and takes place at Ipswich’s Playford Road training facility which is just a short drive away from the town centre. A match report will be available later in the day, in the meantime  remember to vote in our poll below.