Arsenal v Liverpool - Youth Cup Final.

[Tee]

Lets hope the boys can restore some pride tonight. Get an early goal and anything can still happen. Come on you reds!!!!

[Reece]

Carra and Rafa both in attendance.

[RoadEnd]

Arsenal 1-0 at HT

[lickedlollipop]

http://www.atdhe.net/7327/watch-liverpool-vs-arsenal

maybe?

[Reece]

Hmmm naughty tackle there from Alex Cooper.

[lickedlollipop]

result?

[Reece]

2-1 Arsenal

[Icon]

Some delays on this thread?

HAHA!

[Tee]

That elbow from Cooper was just utterly disgaceful. I would have hauled him off there and then.

Totally outclassed by a physically very strong and technically far superior Arsenal side. 13 years of planning is reaping its rewards and demonstrates why we must let Rafa take full control of all footballing matters.

Amoo was the highlight of our team IMO over the 2 games and the boy Jack Wilshire was in a class of his own. A star in the making.

Still, from our point of view it was great to get to a 3rd final in 4 years. Stunning record but IMO it is worthless unless some of these players get a break in the reserves and (dare I say it) the first team squad. Time to trust some of these players Rafa.

[red g]

Totally agree with all that, excellent insight.

What must be remebered by our fans is that everyone of our players who played was an Academy player at the start of the season. Even now, they are still playing in the under 18 team with a few just starting to make the reserves team.

Alot of clubs, Arsenal included, play their best XI from the U18 and Reserves side. At Liverpool, if you're established in the reserves side that is where you play, not in the FA youth cup. In fact, I remember when we played Man City in the final. For the second leg they played Micah Richards who was already starting with the first team.

So we should all be proud of our lads. It's about player development, not winning trophies. I should imagine that had Pacheco and Paalson started we'd have been far more competitive. But that could have meant leaving out Ince or Kakalicnic and Andre Wisdom maybe. And that would not be in our best interests.

interesting

[Guest]

Jack Wilshire is a supreme footballer. So gifted it's unreal. He skips past players as if they were never there! Wenger has done a superb job with his youngsters. It's actually the only team (apart from Barca) which has the same footballing principles built in right through their whole youth levels. They play the game like it should be played.

Arsenal are the only team to have actually come close to ripping us a new arsehole in both our first team games this season, and their youth side has actually done just that. Rafa has the same vision I'm sure, but it will take at least 5 years to reap its dividends.

Arsenal's and Barca's blueprint are the ones to follow. **** the rest.

[Reece]

Potential is just that until it is fully realised, but yes Wilshire certainly looks to have bags of it. He could be the closest thing English football can produce to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.

[red g]

Wilshere looks a class prospect, but to give it some perspective., Wilshire has been at arsenal 3 years more than Rafa has been at Liverpool!!

we hear plenty about 15+ but i have no idea how are set up is compared to the rest under that age.

[Guest]

Potential is just that until it is fully realised, but yes Wilshire certainly looks to have bags of it. He could be the closest thing English football can produce to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.

You know what, I think Wenger's not far from producing a title winning team. He's not far from producing an European cup winning team either, mark my words. They are a far better team than their final league position this season.

I reckon they will be close next year. Wenger has got everything, he just needs to have one or two solid players to complement their youthful ones. They're as close a team as Barca, from an English football standpoint.

Of all the teams that we face during the course of a season, they are the team that scares me most. When they are on their game, you won't see many teams taking the game to them.

[red g]

You know what, I think Wenger's not far from producing a title winning team. He's not far from producing an European cup winning team either, mark my words. They are a far better team than their final league position this season.

I reckon they will be close next year. Wenger has got everything, he just needs to have one or two solid players to complement their youthful ones. They're as close a team as Barca, from an English football standpoint.

Of all the teams that we face during the course of a season, they are the team that scares me most. When they are on their game, you won't see many teams taking the game to them.

But he has needed that for 3 years? for me Wenger is to arrogant and to bullish in his belief of total football, they are not Barca and dont have the funds to be as good as Barca but i think Wenger believes he can make them into this dream team.

As an attacking force next year i am sure they will give some teams some hammering but when it comes to playing the top teams i believe they will struggle and there confidence is very very fragile.