West Ham United U21s v Arsenal
Premier League 2 Division 1, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 12 August, 7.00pm
Where & When etc…
West Ham United U21s will play their first home match of the 2022/23 campaign when Arsenal visit Rush Green Stadium on Friday 12 August.
The Irons suffered defeat in their league opener away to Fulham last week but will be optimistic of getting points on the board against the Gunners at home.
Mark Robson’s young Hammers enjoyed some decent results in pre-season and will be hopeful of finding the net in Friday’s north London derby, with kick-off set for 7.00pm.
Tickets…
West Ham United is delighted to confirm that fans will once again be permitted to attend U21s fixtures this campaign, with admittance free for Season Ticket Holders. Proof of Season Ticket status must be shown upon entry to Rush Green.
Tickets can also be purchased on the door for Friday’s Premier League 2 fixtures. Adults can get their tickets for £5 while U16s can attend for £1.
Fans should also note that parking is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Gates will open an hour before kick-off at Rush Green Stadium.
Travel…
Fans wishing to attend Friday’s U21s fixture should note that parking at Rush Green Stadium, at the West Ham United Training Ground, is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed.
The postcode for Rush Green Stadium is RM7 0LU.
Fans wishing to utilise public transport can make use of the Dagenham East Underground Station, on the District Line and Hammersmith & City Line, which is a mile-and-a-half from the training ground.
Romford Station – on the London Overground, Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia service - is also a mile-and-half from the Ground, with buses running regularly from the station to Rush Green.
How To Follow…
We are delighted to confirm that Friday’s Premier League 2 fixture against Arsenal will be live streamed on the Club’s YouTube Channel.
West Ham United v Arsenal will be available to watch from five minutes before kick-off on YouTube and at whufc.com.
Fans unable to follow via the live stream will be able to receive live match updates, as they happen, through the live blog coverage at whufc.com. Our live blog coverage will begin an hour before kick-off, at 6.00pm.
Team News…
Lead coach Mark Robson will be hoping to have a full contingent of U21s talent to choose from against Arsenal on Friday.
Manny Longelo appeared to be removed as a precaution from last weekend’s fixture but the left-back will be anticipating a return to action versus the Gunners.
Availability will also depend on who is selected to work closely with David Moyes’ first-team in the build-up to their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Conor Coventry came off the bench for the senior side for his Premier League debut against Manchester City, while Harrison Ashby and Armstrong Okoflex were unused substitutes – although both did play away to Fulham at U21s level two days before.
Opposition…
It was a near perfect start to the 2022/23 season for Arsenal U21s, who claimed a 3-1 win over Manchester United last week.
With goals scored by summer signing Marquinhos, Khayon Edwards and Miguel Azeez, it was an impressive showing by the young Gunners; a side who traditionally perform well at U21s level.
The north London side won the Premier League 2 title in the 2017/18 season and finished third last season, seven points behind the Hammers in the Division 1 table.
Centre-forward Folarin Balogun, on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims this season, was crucial to Arsenal’s 2021/22 season, scoring 15 goals for the Premier League 2 side.
Mika Biereth was also involved in 17 goals (12 goals and five assists) in 26 outings, while defender Mazeed Ogungbo was a consistent figure in the defensive line.
Arsenal U21s have a new lead coach in Mehmet Ali, who took the role in the summer after three years with the Reading Academy.
