Meet Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup squad… and their opponents

Arsenal take on London rivals Fulham at Underhill Stadium this week in the FA Youth Cup 4th Round, with the winners securing a tie at home to either Everton or Port Vale. Here, you can find out more about the youngsters who are likely to be on show for both sides.

ARSENAL

Deyan Iliev- 

The Macedonian goalkeeper has settled in well to life at Arsenal following his move in the summer, and has conceded just one goal in his three outings so far. An excellent shot-stopper, his distribution does require some improvement.

Hector Bellerin-

Bellerin has continued to develop apace this season, with the former Barcelona youngster making a marked improvement in his defensive ability, to add to his attacking threat. He has been on the bench in the Capital One Cup this campaign and could join the first-team squad shortly.

 

Zach Fagan-

Currently striving for a professional contract at the club, Fagan has appeared a more consistent figure at the heart of defence this season. Capable of bringing the ball out from the back, he is prone to occasional lapses in concentration that can prove costly.

 

Isaac Hayden-

Perhaps the biggest surprise of last season at youth level, Hayden is comfortable at both centre-back and in midfield and reads the game extremely well. Also possesses strong leadership qualities.

Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill-

A left-back who gets forward at every given opportunity, Ormonde-Ottewill has featured regularly for the U18s this season and has also trained with the first-team on occasion. Signed his first professional contract this season.

 

Alfred Mugabo-

Extremely versatile, Mugabo is likely to be deployed in a deep-lying midfield role on Thursday. The Rwanda youth international is efficient at breaking up play and distributing the ball to others.

Kristoffer Olsson-

Technically talented, Olsson has thrived for the U21s so far this season, and is especially adept at striking quality free-kicks. He can be guilty of over-playing the ball on occasion, however.

Anthony Jeffrey-

Bizarrely not yet offered a professional contract, Jeffrey was the star of the last round against Newcastle and the quicksilver youngster will be seeking to prove his worth again.

Jack Jebb-

Perhaps hasn’t progressed as quickly as may have been anticipated, but remains a talented player capable of playing sublime passes. Is likely to interchange regularly with Olsson between the deeper and more advanced midfield roles.

Jon Toral-

Set to be stationed on the left flank, Toral is another Barcelona product who has caught the eye since moving to Arsenal. Capable of playing defence-splitting passes, he could be the difference against Fulham.

Chuba Akpom-

Installed as the first-choice striker for the club at U21 level despite technically still being a first-year scholar, Akpom’s meteoric rise has been one of this season’s key features. His finishing is not the most clinical, but the 17 year old does plenty of important work in and around the box.

Subs from: Josh Vickers, Austin Lipman, Alex Iwobi, Leander Siemann, Glen Kamara, Tarum Dawkins.

Doubtful: Serge Gnabry (back)

FULHAM

Max Oberschmidt- 

A German stopper dubbed ‘the new Oliver Khan’, Oberschmidt missed much of last season through injury, but has been in impressive form for the U18s so far this campaign.

 

 

 

Liam Donnelly-

Capable of playing at right-back or centre-back, Donnelly was signed from Irish side Dungannon Swifts in the summer, and has acquitted himself well with his tenacious tackling.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Arthurworrey-

The imposing 18 year old has been on the cusp of Fulham’s first-team squad this season, but has still shone in the U21s and FA Youth Cup with his composure in possession. Another who suffered with injury last season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh Passley- 

Arthurworrey’s partner at centre-back, Passley possesses impressive technical ability and has featured regularly for Fulham at U21 level.

 

 

Solomon Sambou-

The Gambian youngster is renowned for his dedication, and has been frequently deployed in midfield for Fulham since moving to the club as a 12-year-old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Roberts-

Still a schoolboy, striker Roberts has been a regular for Fulham at U18 level since midway through last season and is likely to provide the biggest threat to the Arsenal goal with his technique and shooting ability. Often used as a support striker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerson Hyndman-

A USA youth international, Hyndman is a central midfielder who is key to orchestrating Fulham’s attacking moves with his range of passing. A good dribbler, he is known to pass the ball quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cauley Woodrow-

Signed from Luton Town, with whom he received a fleeting taste of first-team football, Woodrow has demonstrated his ability to both score and create goals over the past two seasons. Likely to captain the side.

 

 

 

 

 

Muamer Tankovic-

Perhaps the most well-known of Fulham’s crop of youngsters, having already been allocated a first-team squad number, Tankovic has been a regular source of goals at U18 level since joining in 2011, and has since stepped up to the U21s. A Swedish youth international colleague of Arsenal’s Kristoffer Olsson, the striker also played with Olsson at previous club Norrkoping.

 

 

 

 

 

George Williams-

Previously with MK Dons, the forward has adapted well to life at Fulham and scored in the 6-4 thrashing of Middlesbrough in the 3rd round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan Evans-

Signed from Wrexham, midfielder Evans could cause Arsenal difficulties with his pace and technical ability.

Subs from: Billy Granger, Lyle Della Verde, Tom Richards,  Moussa Dembele, Daniel O’Reilly, Noe Baba.