Arsenal 2 Preston North End 1
FA Youth Cup, Fourth Round Proper
17 January 2005
Barnet FC

Arturo Lupoli’s confident penalty seven minutes from time took Steve Bould's Young Gunners through to the last 16 of this season’s FA Youth Cup at a wet and windy Underhill last night.

Preston put on an outstanding display, denying Arsenal space in midfield and certainly conjuring up more chances over the 90 minutes, and could count themselves a little unfortunate to have gone out of the competition - or at least not to have forced an extra half-hour.

The young Arsenal side, including first-teamer Ryan Smith and England Under-17 caps Fabrice Muamba and Kerrea Gilbert, were pegged back by North End in the opening minutes and must have been surprised by the ferocity of their tackling and the overall tenacity of their play.

Arsenal looked decidedly uncomfortable in defence, being put under so much pressure that their passing became wayward. An early Preston goal seemed very much on the cards.

The visitors only had to wait until the 12th minute before taking a deserved lead. There were several Preston players in the Arsenal box as Liam Maloney fired in a shot that Kiaren Tracey turned past ‘keeper Mark Howard, an England Under-18 cap, from close range.

North End really needed to consolidate in the next few minutes to give themselves the chance of a famous victory but they took their eye of the ball just three minutes after scoring.

Smith, a left-winger with frightening skill, had clearly been identified by Preston as Arsenal’s most influential player and he seemed to be encircled by defenders whenever he had the ball. He was subjected to some rough treatment and he didn’t like that at all.

After being bowled over about 30 yards out during a typical high-speed run towards Preston’s goal, he complained bitterly to the referee before curling over a free-kick that was nudged on into the net for the equaliser by the head of central defender Matthew Connolly.

Preston had certainly edged the first half and Arsenal would need to improve playing down the considerable Underhill slope in the second half. Unfortunately, they had all the wind and rain blowing in their faces and that hardly helped their cause.

Lupoli hit a superb shot against the inside of Tom Upson’s left-hand post on 70 minutes and Iain Howard’s 35-yarder brought a leaping save from his namesake in Arsenal’s goal as two tiring sides strove to win the tie inside 90 minutes.

Arsenal’s winner came as Ben Gill dragged the ball past Upson in front of goal and had his right foot grabbed by the prostrate ‘keeper for an obvious penalty.

The referee had been very well placed to see the infringement but he then increased Lupoli’s anxiety by asking him to move the ball after he had placed it on the spot. But the Gunners youngster kept his nerve to shoot into the corner, sending Upson scampering in the wrong direction.

The home side then held on for victory, with Howard showing some confident handling in the last few minutes.

One to Watch - Ryan Smith

Despite being closely policed throughout, Arsenal winger Ryan Smith was the class act last night.

His speed of thought and movement made him a constant handful for the Preston defence.

Sometimes the ball seemed to be attached to that tremendous left foot as he sprinted into the danger areas and Preston could only stop his progress with fouls.

His skill on the ball in tight situations was remarkable from a player who has represented England at Under-17 level and played for Arsenal in the Carling Cup.