Match Preview- Arsenal U18s v Ipswich U18s

After seeing off Wolves in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday, its back to league matters for Steve Bould’s Arsenal u-18s side when they take on Ipswich at London Colney tomorrow morning.

The Gunners haven’t played a league game since the 2-1 reverse against Norwich in December but they still sit comfortably at the top of Premier Academy League Group A at the halfway stage, five points clear of their closest challengers Crystal Palace. Ipswich, meanwhile, sit in third, nine points behind Arsenal having played a game more.

With the Reserves in action against Stoke on Wednesday, Bould is likely to be deprived of the services of Jack Wilshere, Henri Lansbury and Francis Coquelin who all played in the FA Youth Cup. Rhys Murphy picked up an ankle injury in that game and, whilst it is not clear exactly how long he will be out for, he will definitely miss tomorrow’s game. Emmanuel Frimpong will be hoping to shake off a knee problem whilst Ignasi Miquel is also doubtful with thigh injury. Long-term absentee Conor Henderson (medial knee ligaments) is still on course for a pre-season return.

All of that means that hat-trick hero Gilles Sunu is likely to start on the right-wing, whilst a lack of options up front could see Luke Freeman partner Roarie Deacon in attack. Dutch schoolboy Oguzhan Ozyakup will also be hoping to make his fourth start of the campaign.

Predicted team:

—————————————-Shea———————————–

——-Eastmond———Bartley————————-Ayling———Cruise

——-Sunu—————Ozyakup————————Frimpong——Thomas

—————————-Deacon————————-Freeman——————-

subs: Watt, Blackwood, Evina, Obed, Rasmussen.

Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 10.45am and a full match report will be available later in the day.