by Layth Yousif

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hailed Jack Wilshere’s FA Youth Cup side as they gear up for their biggest game of the season. 

The Gunners much-vaunted academy team hosts Manchester City at Ashburton grove this evening in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup. 

Wilshere’s buccaneering young guns have earned huge plaudits this term for the manner of their swashbuckling victories on their way to the last four. 

Starting with a 6-0 rout of Millwall at Meadow Park before Christmas, the team then eased past Newcastle 3-2 at St James’s Park, prior to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road after being two goals down. The talented tyros then staged another comeback to beat Cambridge United 3-2 in front of more than 8,000 fans at the Emirates to set up their eagerly awaited clash with City. 

In response to a question from the Morning Star, Arteta praised Wilshere and his exciting young team.

“I am really happy with Jack and the coaching staff and with what they have been doing. To enjoy every second of what they have been doing.”

Wilshere is aiming to land the trophy for the eighth time in the club’s history, with the Gunners hoping to lift the coveted cup for the first time since 2009, when the former Arsenal and England midfielder helped the U18s lift the trophy in front of more than 33,000 at the Emirates when they beat Liverpool 4-1 to win 6-3 on aggregate. 

The most recent time the academy side reached the final was in 2018 when Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Fol Balogun were part of the team that was comprehensively beaten 7-1 on aggregate over two legs by a Chelsea side featuring Reece James, Connor Gallagher, Marc Guehi, Billy Gilmour, and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Arteta added: “We need to produce more talent. 

“We also need to continue to praise the quality we have at the club and enjoy it.”

With Premier League starlet Ethan Nwaneri starring during the campaign, alongside Amario Cozier-Duberry, not to mention Reuell Walters, Lino Sousa and captain Bradley Ibrahim along the backline, the team has caught the eye this term, with high hopes for future progression. 

The canny Arteta added: “I cannot say too many particular names [but] I will try to be there [to watch].”