Arsenal youth duo return from international duty ahead of key cup clash

Daily Cannon

·19 November 2024

Arsenal youth duo return from international duty ahead of key cup clash

Theo Julienne and Max Dowman have completed their break with the England u17s, and they’ll now return to Arsenal for their u18 Premier League Cup group decider.

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Arsenal duo Theo Julienne and Max Dowman concluded their international break with a second friendly against Belgium on Monday.

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Dowman had started with Julienne on the bench in the first game of the friendly double-header, but this time around the roles were reversed and Julienne made the starting lineup.

Julienne played the first 62 minutes of the match, with Belgium taking an early lead before being pegged back by Ryan McAidoo for 1-1. Dowman was introduced at the same time as Julienne’s withdrawal, but he couldn’t stop England from slipping to a late 2-1 defeat.

Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

The duo will now return to Arsenal, where they face a key u18 Premier League Cup fixture against Crystal Palace.

As it stands, Arsenal lead their u18 PL Cup group, having won 5-3 against Liverpool and 3-2 against Birmingham City in their first two games. But with only top spot guaranteeing progression to the knockout stages and just a three-point gap to Liverpool and Palace, it’s still all to play for.

If Arsenal can secure a draw or a win at home to Palace on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 GMT, that would be enough to make the competition’s quarter-finals.

Photo via Dowman on Instagram

Dowman has been important for Arsenal in the tournament so far, having scored against Liverpool before netting a brace against Birmingham City. The u18s were 2-0 down to Birmingham when Dowman scored his first, and his 97th-minute second goal secured all three points.

After 102 minutes for the England u17s across their two friendlies this week, Dowman will hopefully carry some momentum into Saturday’s game and repeat the trick against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal November England youth fixtures and results

Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram

Times in GMT

Wednesday, November 13th

England u19s 1-0 Lithuania – Nwaneri scored and played 90 minutes for England, with Lewis-Skelly playing 19 minutes as a substitute. Setford wasn’t involved.

Friday, November 15th

Belgium 1-1 England u17s – Dowman played 74 minutes and Julienne played the final 16 as a substitute.

Saturday, November 16th

England u19s 2-1 Bulgaria – Nwaneri scored again, Lewis-Skelly provided the assist, and both completed the full 90 minutes, as did Setford in goal. Lewis-Skelly was also heavily involved in the second goal, a rebound from his initial shot.