Arsenal U21s get their new Premier League 2 campaign underway tonight with a home game against Fulham, with much having changed at this level during the summer.
The club have now confirmed that Max Porter, who worked as Mehmet Ali’s assistant for several years, will be the U21 coach on a permanent basis.
Many of the U21 regulars from last season have now moved on to senior football elsewhere but there are still some very talented players who are set to feature at this level, with the likes of Marli Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous continuing to play above their age groups.
Max Dowman could also receive some playing time for the U21s at some point this season depending on his first-team commitments.
The core U21 squad is quite small and some further additions are probably required, but new signing Demiane Agustien looks like a very good prospect in midfield.
Decisions also need to be made on the likes of Josh Nichols, Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia, who have plenty of experience of U21 football but now need to start testing themselves in the senior game.
Fulham U21s beat Sutton United’s first-team 7-0 in the National League Cup this week, so this is unlikely to be an easy task for Arsenal. The Cottagers can call upon players such as midfielder Seth Ridgeon and forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi.
It seems set to be an entertaining season at U21 level and Arsenal will be determined to get off to a winning start.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird