Tonight:
9°c
Jack the lad as Arsenal lift trophy
Neil Johnston27.05.09
Steve Bould has challenged Jack Wilshere to cement a place in Arsene Wenger's first-team plans after inspiring Arsenal to a classy FA Youth Cup triumph.
Wilshere followed up his impressive performance in the 4-1 first-leg win over Liverpool with another eye-catching display as Arsenal finished the job at Anfield last night.
Sanchez Watt's impressive first-half finish and an own goal goal by Daniel Ayala saw Arsenal win the second leg 2-1 and the final 6-2 on aggregate. Youth-team coach Bould believes several of his players, including Wilshere, have the potential to establish themselves in the top flight.
Wilshere made eight senior appearances this term but Bould believes the 17-year-old can to do better next season.
"We'll never know until they are thrown in if they can become first-team regulars," said Bould. "But I think one or two of them have got massive characters. As for Wilshere, he has got masses of talent. He's done really well over the two legs and we have all got high hopes for him."
Arsenal last won the Cup in 2001 with a squad including Jermaine Pennant, Steve Sidwell and Jeremie Aliadiere.
Reader views (5)
the rest of football should start showing arsenal some gratitude for the number of great players they help deliver into the mainstream game through their academy. both the premier league and championship are full of ex-arsenal trainees that got a decent education through the club and bring loads of quality to whatever teams they end up at.
and i'm not just talking about the sulking millionaire boys club like bentley and pennant. there's justin hoyte, aliadiere, sidwell, bothroyd, halls, lupoli, stack, muamba, larsson etc..
wenger gets abuse for selling them but it's not like he's killing them! they always do well for other clubs. arsenal are doing the english game a favour contrary to the nonsense talked about them by their critics.
- Lex, london
Shame with all these players, not been like Man Utd, bringing the likes of beckhams, nevilles, through?
Since 2001, 3 players and not even at the club.
- Adrian, london
This time next year, we'll be millionaires.
- Ted, London
yeah and how many will progress to the top and be household names,probably be 1 or 2,at the most..they be loaned out and then disappear into the distance..happens all too often..fact
- Jenks, west herts
Great performance from Arsenal's awesome yound team. As well as Wilshere, watch out for Emmanuel-Thomas, Coquelin, Watt, Bartley & Frimpong.
- Rob Gooner, North London
