Interview

Birchall delighted to progess to quarter-finals

birch

Arsenal under-18s head coach Adam Birchall was delighted with our team spirit and determination to beat Fulham 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup on Friday night.

Our young Gunners made the perfect start to the weekend as goals from Andre Harriman-Annous & Max Dowman put us 2-0 up less than half an hour into the game.

Fulham got a goal back before the break, but resolute defending and sheer determination saw us book our place in the quarter-finals, where we’ll host either Manchester United or Chelsea.

On the performance…

“Really proud of them, I said before the game it was an opportunity they earned from the last round, and what I saw (tonight) was young people pulling together and showing real maturity to manage a game.

“I think the only bit that made it a bit more tricky was conceding I think one error we probably made defensively tonight in our game plan and they punished us, which made it a bit more tricky, but generally really, really pleased with the lads, I’m very happy for them.”

On the importance of holding onto a one-goal lead…

“We see our first team, and our first team leads the way with that. Think about when we were at the Etihad, we lost a player and the spirit, the togetherness, the hunger to keep the clean sheet, they’re role models to us all.

“It was important tonight that we found a way to control the game without the ball and force them into errors when we could and counter.

“I thought a few times we could’ve countered better but there were a few times when we played some really nice football.”

On facing Manchester United or Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in the next round…

“Yeah they’re so excited, so it’ll be the weekend to sort of digest this for them, then important on Monday that we don’t jump ahead to that and we get back on the development wagon.

“We start thinking about that so that we’re in a better place when that game (in the cup) comes, it doesn’t stop there. But there’s a really good vibe in the changing room as I’m sure you can imagine!”

On how important this competition is for the players’ development…

“It’s really important, I think because of the prestige the Youth Cup has, I think it just adds that little bit of weight and pressure. That’s already there when they represent Arsenal but they feel knockout competition.

“What I’ve been really impressed with in the lads is they’ve not had it easy through the run, but I’ve been impressed with how they’ve stepped up and bonded really in the moments that matter.

“That’s also a big part of development, not carrying that burden on your own, learning how to do it together and I’m seeing that develop from this run so hopefully they get an understanding of what a team needs.”