'Let's show what we can do'

Arsenal v Manchester City (Agg 2-1)
The FA Youth Cup, sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final Second Leg
Wednesday 22 April 2009
7pm, Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC

Arsenal’s youth team skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas feels that a burgeoning team spirit and the ambition to break into the first team ranks can inspire the young Gunners into The Final on Wednesday night.

They host the second leg of their Semi-Final with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium and after coming away from the City Of Manchester Stadium with a 2-1 win last month, know that they are favourites to progress.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has never been afraid to promote young players into his team over the last few years and Emmanuel-Thomas knows that tonight’s game gives them the perfect stage on which to stake their claim.

“Everyone has to show the boss what they can do and this is the time to do it,” said the England U19 international.
 
“People from around the first team set-up come to these Youth Cup games so we need to show them that we can push on if we’re going to get any more contracts and stuff.”

Arsenal’s U18 side are currently flying in their FA Premier Academy League campaign too and Emmanuel-Thomas feels that the confidence garnered from those games has simply helped Steve Bould’s side over the season.

“Our team has grown a lot,” he added. 

“With the travelling and whatnot there is a lot more team bonding and it brings us all together as a unit.
 
“We have learned so much. We know that even at a goal down you can still go through. Also when you’re leading you have to keep going to make sure you don’t let them back in. 

“Overall I think our team is getting very strong.”

There will be highlights of the game on TheFA.com on Thursday morning, so be sure to return.