A record FA Youth Cup crowd of 38,187 spurred Arsenal Under-18s to a 1-0 Semi-Final first-leg victory over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
An emphatic strike from Kieran Gibbs 14 minutes after the interval gave the young Gunners every chance of reaching the Final of the competition for the first time in six years.
Steve Bould’s youngsters will now travel to Old Trafford in three weeks time needing only a draw to progress.
Arsenal’s victory, one which was built largely on a remarkable defensive performance, was all the more impressive considering the enormity of the occasion and the hefty home support.
As the line-up was announced the Emirates crowd greeted every Arsenal name as it were one from Arsène Wenger’s first team.
In Armand Traore, they were treated to a player of first-team experience. There was also Jay Simpson, scorer of a hat-trick in the Quarter-Final victory over Cardiff, and Fran Merida, the slick Spaniard with the ability to unlock defences at will.
However, in an open, if not captivating first half the opening chance fell to the visitors when Febian Brandy was released down the left. The striker’s run took him wide though and when he took aim he found only the arms of Lee Butcher.
The host’s first effort on goal arrived 10 minutes in from the left foot of Merida. His 25-yard effort trickled well wide but the intricate build-up involving Mark Randall and Nacer Barazite was vintage Arsenal.
Three minutes later a Gibbs header crept wide as what had started as an evenly-balanced affair began to swing Arsenal’s way.
Soon after Simpson had United keeper Ben Amos scrambling with one fierce effort and Merida launched another high into the crowd. Not for want of trying the young Gunners were yet to muster an effort to really trouble Amos.
As the interval approached United threatened through both Sam Hewson and Brandy, who had scored seven of their side’s Youth Cup goals going into this game. But like his counterpart Amos, Butcher remained untested.
Chris Fagan may have done better too on the stroke of half-time but for the most part the defences were dominating. Paul Rodgers in particular looked comfortable with his surroundings and coped efficiently with the pace and trickery of Brandy.
One began to sense that Arsenal might need a goal going into the second leg at Old Trafford. After all their opponents were yet to concede in this year’s competition.
Nacer Barazite fired over on 55 minutes as Arsenal stepped up their assault and just four minutes later United’s hitherto unbreakable back line was breached.
From wide on the left Traore fed Gibbs. The midfielder turned sharply before driving the ball with vigour inside Amos’ near post.
Sensing they were the team that now needed something, United showed more of an attacking zest. Danny Welbeck had a driving run halted by Rodgers while Gavin Hoyte's assured sliding challenge dispossessed Brandy.
On 67 minutes Bould sent on Rhys Murphy in place of Barazite. The England Under-17 striker has shown a keen eye for goal in the Academy League this season and displayed it here within five minutes. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box the youngster let fly with a bending effort that thumped off the bar with Amos well beaten.
An equaliser would have turned the tie in United’s favour. Daniel Garbraith set off on a run that brought him within six yards of goal only to be descended upon by three Arsenal players who combined to clear the danger.
In the dying seconds Butcher was tested fully for the first time. Welbeck’s free-kick took a deflection but the keeper read the sudden change in direction and dived low to his right to tip the ball away.
It was to prove a valuable save when seconds later the final whistle blew. Against the team that don’t concede, the Gunners had scored, and kept their first clean sheet of the competition. Another at Old Trafford would see them through.
What a turn out for the young guns!!!
Congratulations to them on beating the mancs!
Start as we mean to go on.....no doubt they are following the 1st team, as we are the only ones to beat united home & away in this campaign, albiet the prem, but still!
GO YOUNG GUNS!
