Republic of Ireland U’21 centre-forward Graham Barrett is in line to benefit from Arsenal’s continued involvement in the Champion’s League, by getting his first start of the season when the Highbury outfit meet Ipswich in the Worthington Cup, tomorrow night.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given some of the younger members of his impressive squad the opportunity to impress in the competition, which has been well down his list of priorities in recent years. Wenger and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson have been heavily criticised for fielding second choice teams, for what are potentially THE biggest game of the season for their less glamorous opponents.
However, both men stand by their decisions, citing the ever-increasing demand placed on their squads by the Champion’s League, and Wenger will once again give youth its chance tomorrow night. Barrett is likely to play alongside £13million record signing Sylvain Wiltord in attack, while Ashley Cole will start his second game at left-back, following an impressive full debut at the weekend.
England youth team star Stuart Taylor makes his first team debut in goals, while Paolo Vernazza will look to impress in midfield. Jermaine Pennant, the winger bought from Notts County nearly two years ago who became Arsenal's youngest-ever first team player, will also get an unexpected start in the match. Wenger, standing by his decision, insisted: “The competition is ideal for us to test the progress of our youth academy's players because we always have to look to the future, but we are honest with our fans. We tell them in advance that this will happen and we have made the tickets cheaper.”
Filed by Shane Murray
