August 28th 2024.
It was a sweet victory for Jack Wilshere and his team as they avenged their previous defeat with a 5-3 win over Liverpool on Wednesday. The FA Youth Cup last season saw Arsenal's U18s side suffer a crushing 7-1 loss to their opponents, but this time, they were determined to turn things around.
In an exciting U18 Premier League Cup match at the AXA Training Centre, Wilshere's men put on a spectacular performance to secure the win. Although Liverpool managed to score twice, the north Londoners had already built a comfortable 3-0 lead. They then extended it to 4-2, and despite conceding another goal, they held on to their lead until the final whistle.
After the game, Wilshere, a former player for Arsenal, shared that his team had the 7-1 defeat from last season on their minds and were eager to prove themselves. "When we came here last [season], they taught us a lesson a bit," he told the Arsenal website. "So we started the game with a little bit of that in mind."
But as the game progressed, it was clear that Arsenal's players were focused on the task at hand and were determined to come out on top. "Once we found our rhythm in the first half, we hurt them and we were clinical," Wilshere explained. "Goals change games, right? You saw that in the second half."
Despite conceding a penalty and facing a tough half-time team talk, Wilshere was impressed by how his players handled the pressure. "We spoke about the importance of the next goal and they got it, so I’m happy with the way our players managed that situation because it’s not easy," he said.
He also praised their resilience in the face of a strong Liverpool side. "When you’re 3-1 up or 2-0, it’s a very difficult score in football, especially with young players because they feel like they’re in control and comfortable," he said. "We responded every time really well and showed a lot of character and courage."
Playing against Liverpool is never an easy task, and Wilshere acknowledged the intensity and high pace of the game. "They’re going to be intense and press you hard and we managed that well," he said. "Once we beat that first line of the press, we could hurt them."
However, he also pointed out that there is always room for improvement, particularly in their defending against set pieces. "We can always improve. We conceded three set plays today. We have to look at that, but we’ve been improving each game," he said.
Wilshere also highlighted the hard work and dedication of the players in training, which has contributed to their success on the field. "In possession, it was our best performance today, but we really increase the training levels and intensity and I’m so glad the players are getting the rewards," he said. "Even when they’re tired, we’ve added players who’ve made us better. There’s no comfort zone."
For Wilshere, this win is just another step in their journey, and he hopes to continue showcasing the quality and determination of the academy players. "We want to show everyone the quality we have in our academy but also the determination and fight we have to compete with the best teams," he said. It's clear that Wilshere and his team are not resting on their laurels and are constantly striving to improve and succeed.
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