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With the U21 season having come to an early end, Arsenal have fielded a more experienced team in the past two matches at U18 level.
As well as giving the older players (such as Andre Harriman-Annous, Evan Mooney, Theo Julienne, Ife Ibrahim and Ceadach O’Neill) an opportunity to impress in their actual age group, it is also worth noting that this squad will form the core of next season’s UEFA Youth League team.
Arsenal’s struggles in the Youth League have been well documented, with the club falling to another league phase exit this season.
However, plans are already in place for next season’s campaign, with Arsenal U19s’ place in the competition secured as a result of the first-team qualifying for the Champions League.
Five overage players (born on or after January 1st 2007) are permitted, with three of those allowed to be named in each matchday squad.
For next season, that group of players could include: Brayden Clarke, Jaden Dixon, Marcell Washington, Demiane Agustien, Evan Mooney, Andre Harriman-Annous, Samuel Onyekachukwu and Khari Ranson.
Of those, Clarke has already indicated (via the official matchday programme) that he could look to go on loan next season and it wouldn’t be surprising if Washington had similar aspirations, while it isn’t clear whether Onyekachukwu will still be at the club next season with his scholarship contract due to expire next month.
All of the current scholars plus many of the talented schoolboys will be eligible to play in the Youth League next season and it is hoped that Arsenal will finally be able to find the right balance in this competition.
First year scholars Abraham Owusu-Gyasi and Patrick Stachow have featured as the centre-backs for the U18s of late and will be looking to step up at U19 level next season, especially as Marli Salmon could be involved in senior football of some description.
Right-back Josiah King is currently injured but will hope to be fit in time for the start of next season.
There will be many options available to Arsenal and preparations for the campaign have started very early, but the club will be wary of avoiding another early exit.
Defender Daniel McCarron, who will join the club in the summer, will be in contention for the U19s and there could well be further arrivals.
Potential UEFA Youth League team for next season – * = overage player
Ranson*
King-Hamill-Stachow-Ogunnaike
Ibrahim
Julienne-Harriman Annous*
O’Neill-Mooney*-Bailey Joseph
Subs: Porter, Owusu-Gyasi, McCarron, Murisa, Zecevic John, Marciniak, Hashi, Thompson, Sampang.
Other options: Clarke*, Dixon*, Washington*, Agustien*, Onyekachukwu*, Dowman, Frohock, B. Phillips, Salmon, Talbot, Lupinski, Maghoma, Pedro, C. Phillips, Emerson Nwaneri, Nduka, Bonaventure Yetna, Munoz, Mbala, Oba, Odaji-Ukueku, Purdy, Sesay, Van der Straaten, Dowling + many more schoolboys.