U21 preview- Arsenal face Tottenham in hotly-anticipated encounter

U21 Premier League-Elite Group

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 

7pm kick-off

North London Derbies always carry an extra spice to them, even below first-team level, but there are several further reasons why tonight’s encounter between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 sides at Underhill is set to be an eventful affair.

Firstly, with regards to standings, Tottenham, who currently sit top of the Elite Group, can virtually secure progression to the end-of-season play-offs with a victory, whilst a Tottenham win would render any lingering hopes that Arsenal have of joining them in extending their season as obsolete. Furthermore, the match is likely to be well attended by supporters from both sides, with Tottenham planning on bringing a large contingent of fans to Underhill, for what will be one of the final fixtures at the historic venue.

Barnet played their last game at the stadium at the weekend, with Arsenal Academy graduate Graham Stack saving a late penalty, but it is the young Gunners who will have the privilege of staging the final send-off to one of English football’s more unique venues. With its unorthodox slope and eclectic mix of old-style terracing and hastily-assembled stands, Underhill cannot exactly be described as paradise, but it has a unique aura to it that will be dearly missed when the time comes to depart.

Now is no time for nostalgia, however. Arsenal are desperate to end their season on a high having initially struggled for results in the Elite Group, and will be buoyed by their late victory last week when substitute Sanchez Watt struck a dramatic winner to secure a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite the dismissal of Daniel Boateng for an innocuous tug on the shoulder of Samir Bihmoutine.

Boateng is available for tonight’s game as his suspension does not kick in until next week’s return game against Wolves, but, nonetheless, there is likely to be considerable rotation in the Arsenal ranks. Isaac Hayden is back available following a small knock, but Thomas Eisfeld, Benik Afobe and Reice Charles-Cook remain sidelined.

Spaniards Ignasi Miquel and Hector Bellerin could come back into the side, but, it seems, players who are set to depart the club in the summer, such as Martin Angha, Conor Henderson and possibly Elton Monteiro, are being left out of the team, with the focus now primarily on those who will still be Arsenal players next season.

Gedion Zelalem has impressed in patches during his two outings so far and tonight should provide the first opportunity for many supporters to assess the German youth international at close quarters, whilst Kristoffer Olsson and Chuba Akpom have also been hugely impressive in recent weeks.

Tottenham, meanwhile, may have lost out 1-0 to Manchester United last week, but have been in imperious form for much of the campaign, establishing a five point lead over United at the top of the division. They possess former United youngster Ezekiel Fryers, whilst Nabil Bentaleb, Shaquille Coulthirst and Cristian Ceballos should also pose a threat to Arsenal this evening.

Tottenham were 4-2 victors in the reverse fixture back in February, but this game should be a highly memorable and eventful affair.

Possible Arsenal team: 

Martinez; Bellerin, Hayden, Miquel, Meade; Yennaris, Olsson; Ansah, Zelalem, Gnabry; Akpom. 

U21 PREMIER LEAGUE- ELITE GROUP