THE STORY SO FAR
On Friday night we begin our FA Youth Cup campaign with a third-round tie against Blackburn Rovers at Meadow Park.
The competition is contested by each club’s under-18 sides, with Kwame Ampadu’s charges coming into the game occupying fourth place in the Under-18 Premier League southern section, with a game in hand on the sides above them.
THE OPPOSITION
This third-round fixture sees last season’s beaten semi-finalists go head-to-head.
Blackburn lost out to eventual winners Chelsea, while our under-18s slipped to a narrow defeat against Manchester City.
Rovers arrive at Meadow Park on the back of a promising season, which sees them fourth in the Under-18 Premier League northern section.
ONE TO WATCH
Vlad Dragomir is now in his second season at the club after joining in 2015 from hometown side ACS Poli Timisoara in Romania.
He was rewarded with a first professional contract in April and has built a reputation as a playmaker.
He has captained Romania at under-17 level and is well-regarded for his technical ability in possession.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Vlad Dragomir scored this stunning effort from distance against Southampton earlier this season for our Under-18s.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
You can follow live updates by following @Arsenal on Twitter. Kick-off is at 7pm (UK time). Attendance is encouraged and entry is free of charge.
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