Latics face Arsenal U21s at the DW Stadium on Tuesday in the Papa John Pizza Trophy, as we attempt to progress through to the last four of the competition.
The two clubs have met 21 times previously, across the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, but we have never played a competitive game against one of the Arsenal junior teams.
To reach the quarter-finals of the competition Arsenal progressed through a group consisting of Swindon Town, lost 2-1, Newport County, won 3-4 and Plymouth Argyle, drawing 1-1 but losing penalty shoot out 5-4.
Four points picked up in the group stage being enough to see the young Gunners through to round 2 where they faced Ipswich Town at Portman Road, after going two goals down in the first half they fought back after the break to level the game up and take it to a penalty shoot out, which they won 4-3.
Arsenal were drawn against Chelsea U21s in the 3rd round with the prize of a trip to the Latics waiting for the winners.
The game was played at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal took an early lead with James Olayinka netting, shortly afterwards Chelsea were reduced to 10 men when Xavier Mbuyamba was shown a straight red.
Despite their man disadvantage Chelsea got back into the game and equalised with a Jayden Wareham effort. Danish striker, Mika Biereth, put Arsenal back in front late in the first half. The extra man told in the second period and Arsenal scored two more goals, star man Omari Hutchinson and Mexican winger Marcelo Flores both on target, to set up the quarter-final tie against the Latics.
The Arsenal U21 side is made up of a mixture of players from their various Academy age groups, primarily the Premier League 2 and Under-18 Premier League squads.
Players To Look Out For
Goalkeeper – Estonian keeper Karl Hein has been earning rave reviews in the competition
Defence - Omar Rekik and Zak Swanson are two players to keep an eye on, both destined for bright futures.
Midfield – Omari Hutchinson and James Olayinka are a formidable midfield pairing and both have an eye for goal. Olayinka was stretchered off in the game against Chelsea and would be a big miss to Arsenal if he is out for our game.
Striker – Mika Biereth is a real danger, strong, fast and skilful.
Previous
We have faced Arsenal on four occasions in cup competitions, the League Cup semi-final back in 2005/06 season, winning the home leg 1-0 we then travelled to Highbury, Mike Pollitt produced a stunning penalty save from Reyes but Henry levelled the tie in the 65th minute as Arsenal pressed us hard and the game went into extra-time, Robin Van Persie scoring in the 108th minute and giving Arsenal the lead in the tie for the first time.
In true Latics fashion, Jason Roberts scored a 119th minute goal which tied the two legs at 2-2 but with away goals counting double it was enough to put us through to the final.
Great memories, Dave Whelan dancing on the pitch, Paul Jewell in his brown leather jacket and unbelievable scenes on the pitch with the players euphoric.
Arsenal gained a bit of revenge in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 2014, Per Mertesacker scoring in the 82nd minute to equalise Jordi Gomez’s penalty, the game went to extra-time but we went out in a penalty shoot out. Enough said about that.
Competition History
We have reached the last eight of this particular competition on three previous occasions and progressed through to the final four each time.
08 May 1985 – Lincoln City 1:3 Latics
26 Mar 1986 – Port Vale 1:2 Latics
08 Mar 1999 – Rochdale 0:2 Latics
We have also won it twice previously:
01 June 1985 – Brentford 1:3 Latics
18 April 1999 - Millwall 0:1 Latics
Predictions from this week's podcast:
Barry - Latics 3:0 Arsenal
Adam - Latics 3:1 Arsenal
Paul - Latics 2:2 Arsenal (Latics to progress on pens)
Up The Tics!
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