Arsenal learn u17 Premier League Cup draw
Photo via Arsenal.com
YouthHawk report that Arsenal have been drawn in Group A for the u17 Premier League Cup, alongside Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Watford in this season's tournament.
With the Gunners' training ground only separated from Watford's by a couple of hedges, and the other two clubs based in London, the team won't have far to travel in the group stages.
The Arsenal academy weren't quite so lucky in the recent EFL Trophy draw, with the u21s receiving matches against Cardiff City, Exeter City, and Newport County. Two games in Wales and the other in Devon means long journeys for any London-based fans wishing to attend.
Photo via Thompson on Instagram
The Arsenal u17 group will hope for another successful year, having won the u16 Premier League Cup last season.
The young Gunners triumphed with a 3-1 win over Chelsea in the final thanks to goals from Kyran Thompson, Josiah King, and Marley Frohock.
Stepping up an age group, the team will now look to repeat the feat as u17 players.
Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter
In other academy news, the Arsenal u21s have learned their Premier League 2 fixtures list for the coming campaign, kicking things off with a game against Fulham at home on Friday, August 15th. The team will also play Nottingham Forest away and Brighton at home later this month.
The first big derby game is away to Chelsea on October 25th, but there will be no regular season north London derby this season.
The current Premier League 2 format involves 29 teams playing a 20-game regular season, so you don't face eight teams until the play-offs, if at all.
This year, Arsenal won't face Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, or Spurs in the regular season. But they could still meet some of the above in the play-offs or in other competitions.
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