While the more senior players have been with their countries this week participating in international matches, Arsenal have taken an under-17 side to the Netherlands to participate in the Future Cup alongside a number of top European sides including Barcelona and Ajax.
The tournament is held every year at Easter and involves eight clubs, split into two groups of four to begin with. In Group A along with Arsenal were the hosts Ajax, Ghanaian football academy Right To Dream and Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg. In the other group were UEFA Champions League holders Barcelona along with Anderlecht, Olympiacos and Benfica. Each team played each of the other teams in their group once over the course of the weekend, with each match being 60 minutes long rather than the regular 90.
Arsenal’s first game of the tournament was against Red Bull Salzburg. Eddie Nketiah has been a regular on the scoresheet in the under-18 league this season, and he opened the scoring here with a fine volley from a cross from the right-hand side The lead was doubled a few minutes later when prolific schoolboy Trae Coyle slid in a shot from the edge of the area after a fortunate bounce. However, defender Joseph Olowu was sent off as he clearly handled the ball on the line allowing Randy Montie to score from the spot and bring Salzburg back into the game, but Arsenal held on for the 2-1 win.
YouTube: Highlights Arsenal – Red Bull Salzburg
Next up for Arsenal were Right To Dream. Both sides went close early on, but when Joe Willock was roughly hacked down in the penalty area he picked himself up to score the penalty and give Arsenal the lead. Nketiah then scored his second goal of the tournament with a superb chip over the goalkeeper, before Emile Smith-Rowe missed a glorious chance to add a third late on.
YouTube: Highlights Right to Dream – Arsenal
Two wins from their opening two games had eased any pressure ahead of their final group game against Ajax on Sunday, but that didn’t stop Arsenal from winning yet again. Smith-Rowe, fresh from signing his scholarship, made it 1-0 with a composed finish past the goalkeeper. Young midfielder Xavier Amaechi fired a loose ball into the roof of the net to put Arsenal in a commanding position. Gunners’ goalkeeper Joao Virginia was in inspired form, and despite Ajax’s Sven Botman scoring a late header that allowed Ajax to snatch second place in the group ahead of Right To Dream, Arsenal ended the group stage with a 100% record and consequently finished top of their group.
YouTube: Highlights Ajax B1 – Arsenal
Arsenal next play Barcelona in the semi-final on Monday. If they can beat the Spanish side, they will then play the winners of the other semi-final between Ajax and Anderlecht in the final.
