Arsenal u18s learn Youth Cup 5th-round draw | OneFootball

Arsenal have learned their potential opponents in the FA Youth Cup fifth round, but the team won’t have any warm-up games before their fourth-round tie next week.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Having knocked out Hertford Town in the previous round, the Arsenal u18s are eagerly awaiting their fourth-round match against QPR on Saturday, January 18th. And if they make it through to the fifth round, the young Gunners already know their potential opponents.

The FA have confirmed the fifth-round draw, with Arsenal or QPR to travel away to Exeter City or Fulham. Exeter face Fulham on Thursday, January 16th, so Arsenal will know the winner before they play their own match.

Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter

Knowing the draw and their potential opponent will help to build some anticipation for the QPR tie, as will the fact that the u18s won’t be able to play a competitive fixture before then.

The Arsenal u18s have been on their winter break since their 4-3 Youth Cup win over Hertford Town, but they were supposed to return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, January 11th.

Unfortunately, the cold weather around London this week led to a frozen pitch and the postponement of the fixture. As a result, the team won’t have played any games between their third-round and fourth-round cup ties.

QPR did play their own u18 league fixture this weekend, a draw with Bristol City, so they may have the upper hand on the match-sharpness front next week.

FA Youth Cup fifth round draw in full

Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter