Emery and the Youth.

With Liverpool on the horizon, many are pointing to that game as the first true test of where we are under Emery in comparison to Wengers Arsenal.

Before then, however. we have two cup games in two days. First up is the Checkatrade Trophy match at Cheltenham, with Blackpools visit to the Emirates tomorrow night.

Team for the Cheltenham game:
Iliev; Sheaf, Ballard, Medley, Bola; Gilmour, Olayinka; Coyle, Burton, Saka; John-Jules.
Subs: Hein, Thompson, Tormey, Zelalem, Balogun, M. Smith, Bramall.

So far Emery has kept to his senior squad in the main. Only Emile Smith-Rowe has been trusted to step up - appearing in all 3 competitions. That has led to frustrations for the likes of Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah, who both got a fair bit of game time last season.
Injuries to Konstantinos Mavropanos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have meant neither has been able to press their claims, although AMN is now back and Mav is close to a return.
Jordi Osei-Tutu is another youngster who has spent the first third of the season injured, which is a shame as despite being a right back in the main, he impressed Emery at left back in pre-season.

Tonights XI gives a hint to whether Wednesday nights team will be a more youthful side than the previous round. Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Emile Smith Rowe and Julio Pleguezuelo all left out and training with the first team.

Julio Pleguezuelo is the one looking to make his debut, and his versatility along the back 4 could help him achieve that. With a lot of senior experience on loan, the U-23 captain stands a decent chance given the injuries we currently have to the back 4.


Emery has taken a different ideology towards giving youth a chance compared to his predecessor. It has been concentrated on minimal exposure, with the first team squad being used across all 3 competitions. I am guessing it will just be ESR and possibly a defender tomorrow.