Academy chief Sammy Morgan says Arsenal won’t have been happy to have drawn Town's U18s in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. The sides meet at Barnet’s Underhill this evening with Town’s youngsters having beaten their Gunners counterparts twice since the summer (KO 7pm).

Morgan says the U18s, who are coached by former Arsenal player and academy coach Chris Kiwomya, are well capable of defeating the Gunners again: “Arsenal won it last year, but I don't think they will be too happy to have been drawn to play Ipswich, just as it's a difficult draw for us as well.

"But we have beaten them a couple of times recently, so that might give us the psychological edge. The lads know that we can beat Arsenal. We know that they are beatable.”

Earlier in the season the U18s beat Arsenal 3-2 at Playford Road in a league game and also won a pre-season friendly 1-0 at the Gunners' Shenley Training Centre.

Morgan says winning is the most important thing in the Youth Cup: “I know that we are in the youth development field, but this game will all be about the result.

“This is tournament football. It's cut-throat, so the pendulum will swing away from performance towards the result.”

Boss Roy Keane watched the U18s defeat Tranmere 2-0 away in the third round, Connor Wickham and Josh Carson netting the goals, and is also expected to be at Underhill. Town have confirmed that Wickham will be in tonight's team.

The winners of the tie will face Fulham at home in the fifth round, the Cottagers’ youngsters having defeated Bolton on penalties last week at the fourth round stage.

Text commentary on the game will be available on Arsenal's website.

Photo: Action Images

stgalls added 09:56 - Jan 19 Good luck 2nite lads.
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Racylad added 10:23 - Jan 19 looking forward to seeing the lads tonight, shame its not being held at the emirates!
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NW10_Tractor added 10:45 - Jan 19 Come on Town! I have heard there should be quite a few Town Fans up there tonight.. including me! If you are London based, It'll be great to see you there....
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superblueflude added 11:35 - Jan 19 Am I right in thinking Billy Clarke - midfielder is under 16?
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MaySixth added 12:29 - Jan 19 Cedric Evina is relishing his role as Arsenal's Youth Cup skipper but he has warned that the Under-18s need to be at the top of their game to see off Ipswich next week. The Frenchman led the Under-18s to a thrilling Third-Round victory over Crewe Alexandra last month as the young Gunners came from behind three times before winning a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at Underhill. Evina will captain Arsenal when they continue the defence of their trophy against Ipswich next Tuesday - and the 18-year-old is expecting an even tougher test this time. “We are the defending champions and that brings added pressure because other teams tend to raise their game, but we have a lot of faith in our ability and each other,” Evina told the Official Matchday Programme. “We have Ipswich to play next and they are a really good team, we have played them twice already this year, once in pre-season and once in the league and they have beaten us both times. We did not really get our game together in both games and so we know we will have to be at our best to get through. “The responsibility [of being captain] helps me though. I feel I have to lead by example and that means I have to aim for the highest standards if I want the rest of the team to do the same. “Having that focus has helped me come on in my own game. I have a lot more to my game now. I don't have to be so dependent on my pace and that has made me a better all-round player both in defence and attack.“

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footyfan182 added 12:50 - Jan 19 superblueflude no billy clarke is not an u16 he is an u18 althought there will probably be a few u16's as there was last time. Chris Kiwomya has done a fantastic job this season !!!!!
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itfc1981 added 12:54 - Jan 19 enjoy Underhill lads! up the Town!
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superblueflude added 12:54 - Jan 19 he certainly has, i've read rave reports on clark and fingers crossed he can push up and maybe in 2011 break into the first team. Any others that need a mention? i'v not seen much off the youngsters
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RainhamBlue1 added 13:05 - Jan 19 I will be there cheering on the lads!! Will be good to see how well Connor Wickham plays, when up against players of the same age! Come on you Blues!!
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NW10_Tractor added 13:07 - Jan 19 Reckon Connor will play?? I badly want to see him turn the Arsenal inside and out. Come on the Town...
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Redmond added 13:08 - Jan 19 People say Arsenal have good youngersters ;) nothing comapred to ipswich
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Uttlesford_ITFC added 13:12 - Jan 19 They have Frenchmen in the U18s as well? Why dont they move the side to Paris!
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MaySixth added 13:16 - Jan 19 Conor will play tonight.
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MaySixth added 13:16 - Jan 19 He scored twice in a league game earlier this season v The Arsenal hence the interest in him from the big clubs.
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footyfan182 added 13:24 - Jan 19 u18 Eastman fantastic defender no one like him..... Have watched a couple of u18 and u16 games impressed with Ipswich players on both teams, good defence and midfield in both teams.
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PablosRightBoot added 13:43 - Jan 19 Several decent players. Dunbar at right back, Clark in the centre, Eastman at the back, Connor up front, there is also Ronan Murray who looks decent. Will be a cracking game. The pub behind their north stand nearest to the station is the best bet for drinking
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hampstead_blue added 14:38 - Jan 19 Can't wait! See you all at the pub before
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NW10_Tractor added 14:58 - Jan 19 Do you reckon we'll have our own end at Barnet tonight?? I'd hate to have to sit with the GOONERS!!!!
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PablosRightBoot added 16:02 - Jan 19 We're with the gonners tonight I was told. I may be with a couple of them
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swifty added 17:55 - Jan 19 Sat in the old red lion in barnet as the team coach has just gone past. Town are well supported here tonight. Let's hope connor and ronan are up for it tonight.
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legoman added 18:31 - Jan 19 Is osbourne playing?
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nysully added 18:55 - Jan 19 Conor Wickham did not make the trip if you can believe it.
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nysully added 18:59 - Jan 19 Possible correction - as per Carl Marston - The plot thickens. #itfc Connor Wickham is not on official team-sheet, but according to Steve Foley, he is going to play!
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nysully added 19:13 - Jan 19 1-0 town, Murray, Wickham does start up front!
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nysully added 19:14 - Jan 19 2-0, Conor!!!!!!
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