Ones to watch as Arsenal face West Ham in FA Youth Cup final
The youngest Premier League player EVER, a Saka-style winger shining at Arsenal, West Ham’s latest goal machine and the midfielder following in Declan Rice’s footsteps… the wonderkids to watch out for in the FA Youth Cup final
- Arsenal and West Ham meet in a one-legged FA Youth Cup final on Tuesday
- Game will be played at the Emirates Stadium where a big crowd is expected
- Both sides will be hoping to emulate Man United, who lifted the trophy last year
It’s an all-London FA Youth Cup final on Tuesday night as Arsenal take on West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners coach Jack Wilshere played the last time they lifted the trophy back in 2009 and they’re hoping to use their home advantage to win the Youth Cup for the eighth time.
It’s been an even longer wait for the Hammers, whose team included Joe Cole and Michael Carrick when they last won it back in 1999.
Backed by 7,000 fans in a sold-out away section at the Emirates, West Ham are aiming to win the Youth Cup for the fourth time in their history.
Kevin Keen’s team have already secured the Under 18 Premier League South Division title, winning 18 of their 21 matches and wrapping up the title by beating Arsenal 2-0 earlier this month.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (right) celebrates his winner as Arsenal beat Manchester City in the last minute of extra time to book their place in the FA Youth Cup final
They will play West Ham, who thrashed Southampton 6-1 at the London Stadium
Jack Wilshere coaches the Arsenal Under 18 side having played for both of these clubs
To reach this stage, the Irons won 3-1 at Sheffield United, 1-0 at Burnley, 4-1 at Stoke City and 4-2 at Ipswich Town before finally landing a home draw in the semi-finals.
They made light work of Southampton, winning 6-1 at the London Stadium with Divin Mubama smashing a hat-trick.
As for Arsenal, they thrashed Millwall 6-0, won 3-2 at Newcastle United and 4-2 at Watford before edging out Cambridge United 3-2 in the last eight.
Extra time was required to overcome the tough test of Manchester City, with Myles Lewis-Skelly settling it just seconds before the penalty shoot-out.
Whoever wins will follow in the footsteps of Manchester United, who won last season’s Youth Cup by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United lifted the Youth Cup last season, beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the final
THREE TO WATCH FROM ARSENAL
BY DANIEL MATTHEWS
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY
Arguably no one around Jack Wilshere’s Under-18 team is creating quite the same buzz as this 16-year-old midfielder, who has excellent technical ability, allied with industry, bite and poise.
He scored the last-gasp winner in Arsenal’s semi-final victory over Manchester City to cap a fine individual display at the Emirates.
16-year-old midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly is causing plenty of buzz in Arsenal’s academy
ETHAN NWANERI
Became the youngest player to ever play in a Premier League match, aged 15 years and 181 days, when he came on against Brentford earlier this season.
There is, however, a real risk that this exciting attacking midfielder could leave north London, with other clubs including Manchester City eyeing his signature.
Ethan Nwaneri comes on to make his senior Arsenal debut against Brentford in September
AMARIO COZIER-DUBERRY
This 17-year-old was playing Sunday League for Chettle Court Rangers until a few years ago. The winger only joined Arsenal aged 14 but is already drawing comparisons with Bukayo Saka.
He looked at home at the Emirates in the last round, causing City problems with his tireless running, sharp feet and delivery.
Amario Cozier-Duberry is drawing comparisons with Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka
THREE TO WATCH FROM WEST HAM
BY KIERAN GILL
DIVIN MUBAMA
West Ham’s best goalscorer and Arsenal’s worst nightmare. Since debuting for David Moyes’ first team in Europe in November, Newham-born Mubama has kicked on, averaging more than a goal a game for the Under 21s and Under 18s.
Divin Mubama scored for West Ham’s first team against AEK Larnaca back in March
GEORGE EARTHY
Staff at Chadwell Heath love to rave about Earthy, who joined the academy at age five. He is a highly technical player who is comfortable with either foot, and when asked, he compares himself to Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini for his creativity.
George Earthy is creating plenty of excitement in the West Ham academy
KAELAN CASEY
Another who joined West Ham when he was five years old. Academy insiders have likened Casey to West Ham legend Alvin Martin, which is high praise indeed. He’s strong in the air, he’s good with the ball, and he reads the game beyond his years, citing the club captain Declan Rice as an inspiration.
Kaelan Casey is being likened to West Ham legend Alvin Martin and is inspired by Declan Rice
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