Arsenal’s youngsters had mixed fortunes as they commenced their defence of the Future Cup in Holland today, with the young Gunners losing to Anderlecht before beating Paris Saint-Germain.
Players born in 2000 or later are eligible to play in this tournament but Arsenal were deprived of the services of one of their best prospects in midfielder Trae Coyle, who missed out through injury, while Nathan Tormey is still sidelined.
First-year scholars: Zech Medley, Emile Smith-Rowe, Dominic Thompson
U16s: Daniel Barden, Tyreece John-Jules, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Matthew Smith, James Olayinka, Mark McGuinness, Xavier Amaechi, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Folarin Balogun, Zach Swanson
U15s: Arthur Okonkwo, Bukayo Saka, Matthew Dennis, Ben Cottrell, Samuel Okoye-Ahaneka
Info via @AFCFixtureNews
Anderlecht 3 Arsenal 1
Barden
Daley Campbell-McGuinness-Medley-Thompson
Smith-Olayinka
Amaechi-Smith Rowe-Saka
John Jules
Subs: Okonkwo, Spencer-Adams, Swanson, Dennis, Mussah, Cottrell, Balogun.
Arsenal struggled defensively against Anderlecht as they fell three goals behind but the hugely talented Emile Smith-Rowe scored a consolation from the penalty spot.
Arsenal 2 PSG 1
Okonkwo
Smith-McGuinness-Medley-Saka
Cottrell-Olayinka
Amaechi-Smith Rowe-Swanson
Balogun
Subs: Barden, Daley-Campbell, Thompson, John-Jules, Spencer-Adams, Okoye-Ahenuku.
Arsenal fared rather better in their second game, with Smith-Rowe and James Olayinka on target in a 2-1 victory against Paris Saint-Germain.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 