Arsenal learn EFL Trophy opponents as draw completed

Arsenal learn EFL Trophy opponents as draw completed The Arsenal u21s have learned their opponents for the 2026/27 EFL Trophy, with the group stage draw taking place this week. Photo via Arsenal.com The EFL Trophy draw took place on Thursday afternoon, with the Arsenal u21s joining Group F (Southern Section) along with AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, and Barnet. The games will get under in September, and Arsenal write that the full breakdown of fixtures will follow. The Round of 16 will then take place in early December, the quarter-final in mid-January, the semi final in early March, and the final on April 11th. Though it would be an impressive feat if Arsenal make the final, having never previously progressed past the quarter-final stage. Photo via Arsenal.com Arsenal fans hoping to attend the games should be pretty pleased with the draw, compared to last year’s group opponents – Newport County, Exeter City, and Cardiff City. The journey from the Emirates Stadium to each of those grounds was an average of 186 miles, but the average distance to AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, and Barnet is less than 11 miles. That’s also good news for the players, saving them the tiring trips around the country. The u21 teams always play all three group games away from home, and it’s just luck of the draw whether or not that leads to a lot of travel. Photo via O’Neill on Instagram Arsenal failed to progress from last year’s group stage, beating Newport but losing the other two games. Just one more result would have seen the young Gunners through, but it wasn’t to be. No u21 team has ever won the EFL Trophy, so each season should be seen as an opportunity to become the first. David Horseman is the man in charge of the Arsenal u21s in the EFL Trophy and the u19s in the UEFA Youth League, and he’ll be hoping to lead both teams further than he managed in 2025/26. Photo via Arsenal.com Arsenal learn EFL Trophy opponents as draw completedThe Arsenal u21s have learned their opponents for the 2026/27 EFL Trophy, with the group stage draw taking place this week. Arsenal in talks with new leading candidate for academy manager jobPascal De Maesschalck is a leading candidate to take over from Per Mertesacker as Arsenal’s new academy manager, according to a report. Arsenal will pay less than expected for Hincapie this summerArsenal are reportedly paying just £34.5m for Piero Hincapie this summer, leaving a huge chunk of this year’s transfer budget still available. Positive injury update on Arsenal player despite training absenceDeclan Rice could still play against Panama despite missing training with England in midweek, but Thomas Tuchel insists he isn’t afraid to rotate. Arsenal announce their 2026 Emirates Cup opponentsArsenal have officially confirmed that they’ll face Borussia Dortmund in the 2026 edition of the Emirates Cup, with the game booked in for early August.