Arsenal U19s saw their latest UEFA Youth League campaign draw to a close yesterday with a frustrating late 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge meaning they have lost five of their six games in the competition this season.
There were parts of matches in which Arsenal performed well but they often lacked consistency as they once again found it difficult to adapt to playing against European opponents.
The positive aspect, however, is that there was a major effort over the last two games to give chances to talented schoolboys, which should send those players in good stead for future seasons.
However, finishing in 32nd place out of 36 teams in the league phase certainly doesn’t reflect well on the academy and there will, once again, be much focus on how matters can be improved if Arsenal, as expected, will be involved in this competition next season.
Despite only playing twice in the Youth League this campaign, Max Dowman finished as Arsenal’s top scorer with four goals.
The likes of Callan Hamill, Brando Bailey-Joseph, Ife Ibrahim and Josh Ogunnaike all featured prominently and Ceadach O’Neill also made a significant contribution.
Older players like Brayden Clarke, Demiane Agustien, Harrison Dudziak and Louie Copley also featured.
There were some good saves from Jack Porter, who also had to cope with frequent changes in defence.
As alluded to, the experience gained by schoolboys was perhaps the biggest positive for Arsenal in this competition.
Kyran Thompson played three times and scored once, while Angelinou Pedro made two appearances with the defender impressing against Club Brugge yesterday.
There were also debuts in this competition for Emerson Nwaneri, Mishel Nduka, Jaden Maghoma, Mikael Bonaventure Yetna and Luis Munoz, with the latter becoming the youngest ever player in the Youth League aged just 13.
**Arsenal U19 appearances in UEFA Youth League 2025/26**
_Information via Transfermarkt_
Brando Bailey-Joseph – 6 appearances (1 goal)
Callan Hamill – 6
Demiane Agustien – 5 (1)
Josh Ogunnaike – 5 (1)
Brayden Clarke – 5
Ife Ibrahim – 5
Jack Porter – 5
Ceadach O’Neill – 4 (2)
Harrison Dudziak – 4 (1)
Theo Julienne – 4
Louie Copley – 4
Marli Salmon – 4
Kyran Thompson – 3 (1)
Marcell Washington – 3
Andre Harriman-Annous – 3
Max Dowman – 2 (4)
Samuel Onyekachukwu – 2
Maalik Hashi – 2
Osman Kamara – 2
Will Sweet – 2
Louis Zecevic John – 2
Josiah King – 2
Angelinou Pedro – 2
Teshaun Murisa – 1
Josh Nichols – 1
Khari Ranson – 1
Alex Marciniak – 1
Abraham Owusu-Gyasi – 1
Luis Munoz – 1
Mikael Bonvaenture Yetna – 1
Jaden Maghoma – 1
Mishel Nduka – 1
Emerson Nwaneri – 1
Also called up: Jack Talbot, Marley Frohock, Charlie Phillips, Josh Tahou
**Who could play in the UEFA Youth League next season?**
It is always difficult to predict youth squads in advance given that it is unclear who will still be at the club next season.
However, out of the players who featured this campaign, Will Sweet, Osman Kamara, Josh Nichols, Harrison Dudziak and Louie Copley will no longer be eligible.
The club will have to select five overage players from those born in 2007, with three such players permitted to be included in each matchday squad.
This group of players includes: Demiane Agustien, Khari Ranson, Marcell Washington, Brayden Clarke, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Andre Harriman-Annous and Sam Chapman.
The following players will be permitted to feature in the Youth League if selected in the 40-man squad: Ife Ibrahim, Theo Julienne, Alex Marciniak, Ceadach O’Neill, Jack Porter, Louis Zecevic John, Brando Bailey-Joseph, Marley Frohock, Callan Hamill, Maalik Hashi, Josiah King, Teshaun Murisa, Abraham Owusu-Gyasi, Bowen Phillips, Marli Salmon, Saurap Sampang, Patrick Stachow, Josh Tahou, Jack Talbot, Remi Lupinski, Max Dowman, Angelinou Pedro, Emerson Nwaneri, Mishel Nduka, Jaden Maghoma, Kyran Thompson, Mikael Bonaventure Yetna, Luis Munoz, Charlie Phillips, Rafe Dowling, Jaden Oba, Theo Odaji-Ukueku, Joshua Sesay, Hakeem Abubakar, Noah Clements, Charlie Purdy and Elyon Mbala plus many other schoolboys.