West Ham United U23s are back in Premier League 2 action on Monday evening, kicking off 2021/22 with the high-profile occasion of a London derby and the first competitive match at the London Stadium this season.
By a quirk of fixture scheduling, the young Hammers will face – for a third PL2 Division 1 game in a row – Arsenal U23s, who are sure to prove stern, but exciting, opposition for a season-opening match.
The young Hammers have been in free-scoring form in pre-season, netting 18 times in just seven games. Exciting new signings Armstrong Okoflex and Thierry Nevers have scored three goals apiece, whilst fellow new Hammers Pierre Ekwah and Brian Kinnear – as well as recent first-team debutants Harrison Ashby, Jamal Baptiste, Emmanuel Longelo and Ademipo Odubeko – could also feature.
The occasion also offers the opportunity for West Ham supporters to attend a home development squad match for the first time in almost 18 months, with tickets on general sale to fans – and free for Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members!
If you can't make it down to London Stadium in person, you, the Claret and Blue Army, can still show the development squad your support by watching it LIVE on the West Ham YouTube channel and whufc.com!
However you choose to support the U23s this evening, know that your support will mean a great deal to West Ham's future stars at the Academy of Football, who last enjoyed the presence of the Claret and Blue Army in March 2020.
West Ham United U23s lead coach Dmitri Halajko said of the occasion: "Having West Ham supporters present makes Monday a massive experience for our players and really helps push them on to the next level.
"Having fans in always make the intensity in games that little bit greater. As we've seen in the Premier League, games with fans back have had the intensity levels just shoot up, and that’s the same for U23s games.
"Anybody who comes will really make a big difference in pushing the lads on further in their development."
You can subscribe to the West Ham United YouTube channel here. Kick-off is at 7pm.
Tickets are free for Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members. For non-members, tickets are priced at £5 for Adults and £3 for Concessions/Under-16s. Click here to book or click here for further information.
