The Arsenal academy won’t take part in the Premier League International Cup this year, presumably due to their participation in the UEFA Youth League.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John's Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

The Premier League International Cup confirmed the draw for the group stage of the 2023/24 competition last week, with Arsenal absent from the list of English sides.

Arsenal took part in the competition in 2022/23, after the tournament was suspended for a couple of years due to the Covid pandemic.

Before that, the Gunners had reached the semi-final of the 2019/20 event, but they never got the chance to play that fixture as the country went into lockdown.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC scores his sides third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League International Cup match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco FC at Meadow Park on March 03, 2020, in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC scores his side’s third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League International Cup match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco FC at Meadow Park on March 03, 2020. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s regular participation in the Premier League International Cup was evidently based on their absence from the UEFA Youth League.

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Teams in the Champions League send an u19 team to take part in the Youth League, but Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League in recent years took that option off the table.

Now that Mikel Arteta’s side are back in Europe’s top-tier competition, the u19s can play in the Youth League. Participation in the Premier League International Cup is no longer necessary to get experience against European opponents.

Mehmet Ali coaching the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Mehmet Ali coaching the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

The Arsenal u21s usually also compete in the Premier League 2, the Premier League Cup, and the EFL Trophy, and the u19 team for the Youth League will be made up of the same players competing in those three competitions.

Arsenal don’t have a dedicated u19 team, but the vast majority of their u21 squad fit the age requirements anyway.

With four competitions for Arsenal’s youngsters to play in, the Premier League International Cup is surplus to requirements this year.

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