The Arsenal u19s will only be playing for pride when they face AS Monaco on Wednesday, having already been eliminated from the UEFA Youth League.
The Arsenal u19s face off against Inter Milan in the UEFA Youth League (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
As it has been across the campaign so far, the Arsenal u19s will play a UEFA Youth League fixture on the same day as the first-team’s Champions League clash in midweek, against the same opponents.
In this case that means a home game against AS Monaco on Wednesday at Meadow Park at 13:00 GMT, hours before Mikel Arteta’s side face Monaco at the Emirates Stadium at 20:00.
But whilst the senior side still have three games to go to conclude the initial stage of Champions League competition, the u19s end their League Phase after just six matches, meaning this is their final match.
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND: Michal Rosiak of Arsenal during the UEFA Youth League match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at Meadow Park on October 22, 2024. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Unfortunately, that means the u19s are already out. With just three points from five matches against Atalanta, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, and Sporting CP, the team sit 30th, four points off the lowest progression place – which is 22nd.
Other than a 1-0 win over PSG on Matchday 2, it’s been defeat after defeat, three of them by a three-goal deficit.
Monaco themselves still have it all to play for. They’re in with a shot at top eight (currently two points ahead of them) with a win, but they’re also at risk of elimination if they lose and at least six of the teams below them don’t.
On the upside for Arsenal, that means they’ll face a team giving their all to win, which will be better for their development than the alternative.
MAJADAHONDA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: A basket of isotonic drinks an another of balls are left on the pitch before the UEFA Youth League match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal at Atletico de Madrid Sport City on January 27, 2015 in Majadahonda, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Yet it’s also another hugely disappointing UEFA Youth League campaign for the young Gunners. They were eliminated in last season’s group stage as well, only managing four points from six games.
Having also been eliminated at the group stage in 2016/17, this makes it three tournaments in a row without a knockout-stage appearance.
When they last did make the knockouts in 2015/16, the team immediately lost to Anderlecht in the next round. Their last knockout win in the Youth League was in 2013, with that side ultimately finishing fourth.
For various reasons, the Arsenal academy simply haven’t been competitive in Europe since then. If the senior side make it into the Champions League again next season (thus qualifying the u19s for the Youth League), they’ll want to find a way to do better.
In the meantime, it would be nice to at least end on a home win against Monaco on Wednesday.
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