The Arsenal u21s will be invited to feature in next season’s Premier League International Cup, but it’s likely they’ll reject the invitation.

Mehmet Ali coaching the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Mehmet Ali coaching the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)

With Arsenal securing a spot in the top 12 of the Premier League 2 this season, Jeorge Bird reports that the u21s will be invited to take part in the Premier League International Cup in 2024/25.

The Premier League confirmed at the start of the season that the new format of the competition would see the top 12 Premier League 2 finishers invited to take part in the tournament, but it’s likely Arsenal will turn down the opportunity.

Ayden Heaven (R) and Ethan Nwaneri on the bench for a Champions League game (Photo via Heaven on Instagram)
Ayden Heaven (R) and Ethan Nwaneri on the bench for a Champions League game (Photo via Heaven on Instagram)

In the past, Arsenal have featured regularly in the Premier League International Cup. But as soon as the young Gunners qualified for the UEFA Youth League last year, the club pulled out of the Premier League’s youth tournament.

Qualification for the Youth League is based on whether the senior team makes it into the Champions League. As such, Arsenal’s return to Europe’s top-tier competition saw them back in the Youth League this season for the first time in a number of years.

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The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea took part in the PL International Cup in 2023/24, after their senior teams missed out on Champions League football.

But Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City didn’t take part in the PL International Cup, despite finishing in last season’s PL2 top 12, as all of them opted to focus on the Youth League instead.

Amario Cozier-Duberry via Arsenal
Amario Cozier-Duberry playing in the UEFA Youth League via Arsenal

At the time of writing, assuming England don’t get a fifth spot in the Champions League, Arsenal need five more points from their final five Premier League games to guarantee top four and Champions League qualification.

Realistically, the Gunners’ goal difference is so good that four points would be enough.

Once Champions League qualification is confirmed, and the u19s are guaranteed participation in the UEFA Youth League as a result, Arsenal will likely turn down their invitation to the Premier League International Cup.

Even so, it’s good that the youngsters have guaranteed a backup option if things go horribly wrong for the first team.

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