Slowly, but surely, things are beginning to look better for Arsenal U21s, who secured four points from fixtures against Southampton and West Ham United last week, which, whilst not exactly propelling them up the Elite Round table, will have instilled a measure of confidence and belief in the players ahead of a difficult run of fixtures which commences with Manchester United’s visit to Underhill tonight.
These sides last met at this level just last month, drawing 2-2 in an engaging fixture, but tonight coach Steve Gatting will be shorn of several of his leading lights due to international commitments. Striker Chuba Akpom, who scored both of Arsenal’s goals in the return fixture, is out through an injury that also prevented him from linking up with England U19s this week, whilst Kristoffer Olsson is with Sweden and Martin Angha is with Switzerland.
Isaac Hayden, though, is available again after missing the past two fixtures through suspension, whilst there is a chance that Andrey Arshavin could receive a rare run-out, with the winger having not been a regular part of the first-team squad at late, whilst also being overlooked by Russia for their latest World Cup Qualifiers. Craig Eastmond returned to full training last week but it is not yet certain whether he will be fit enough to play a part in proceedings.
United, meanwhile, possess some promising youngsters of their own, but could also have some senior representation in the form of goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, who has been usurped by David De Gea as first-choice goalkeeper for the first-team. The likes of Marnick Vermijl, Larnell Cole and Adnan Januzaj all posed considerable threats to the Gunners last time out and will likely do so again, although Arsenal’s defence has had a more robust feel in recent games, with the improving Elton Monteiro well aided by the likes of Ignasi Miquel and Sead Hajrovic.
At this stage, halfway through the Elite Round, it appears unlikely that Arsenal will finish in the top three places in the table which provide a gateway to the end of season play-offs, but Gatting will be pleased with the individual development of several players over the past few months and will be hoping for that to continue this evening.
As the season edges towards its conclusion, it is likely that several members of the U18 side will make the step up to the more senior age-group over the next couple of months, with Jack Jebb, Austin Lipman and Tarum Dawkins prime candidates to do so. Tonight, though, the Gunners’ side is likely to be composed of considerably more experienced players at this level, including Nico Yennaris, Thomas Eisfeld and Serge Gnabry.
Possible team:
Martinez
Boateng-Monteiro-Miquel-Meade
Yennaris-Hayden
Gnabry-Eisfeld-Henderson
Ansah
subs: Vickers, Ebecilio, Wynter, Watt, Hajrovic.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
i guess szcesney is with poland but if he isnt we should play him or mannone to give them both matches though martinez is also in need of games. the keeper situation is quite interesting at the moment as if im not mistaken fabianski shea and charles-cook are all out of contract in june whilst mannone will be in his last year. i think also szcesney vickers and iliev cant have contracts with more than 2 years remaining come june.
out on pitch i think coquelin could do with some game time so if he isnt with france u21s i would play him
the match is live on mutv tonight. which asks the question why cant these matches be on arsenal player live or at least available on a pay to view basis. should be on firstrow sports i guess but i doubt the quality will be up to much
I asked that question to Richard Clarke head of AFC media and he said due to costs and players being over-scouted that Arsenal Player will not show live matches for the time being? Cost?(club is loaded with $) But he said recently that the NEXT GEN match vs. CSKA Moscow is in the works for a live match on Arsenal Player! I miss the days when all reserves/youth games were broadcast live I thought JET was the next worlds best player what happen to him? Peace
Ebecilio is with Holland U19’s.