Arsenal Under-18s match against Brighton postponed because team bus drove to Bournemouth

Arsenal’s youth team game against Brighton was postponed after the team bus drove to Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s Under-18s match against Brighton was postponed on Saturday following a bizarre travel mix-up.

The young Gunners were due to face the Seagulls  at Brighton’s AMEX Football Centre with the kick-off scheduled for midday.

With no sign of their opposition, Brighton moved the start time to 12.30pm but the match was abandoned after it emerged that Arsenal’s team had instead driven 95 miles in the wrong direction to Bournemouth, according to ArsenalYouth.

First team head coach Mikel Arteta will be hoping his players show a greater sense of direction when they look to bounce back from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at West Ham against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

‘It’s a big one,’ said Arteta on Firday. ‘It’s one of the toughest places to go and win. We’ve done it and there is nothing new to it, we know what we’re expecting.

‘It is very clear what they do, what their strengths are, and where the opportunities are for us. We will try to take the game where we want.

‘When you play football, you want to play in those atmospheres. Like going to Seville, you know what you are going to get. It’s an incredible privilege to play at those grounds.

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‘You have to embrace the moment, enjoy it and go for it because it’s worth it. These are the arenas you want to be tested in.

‘I think [Howe] has transformed the club, the environment, the atmosphere. What he has created in the team as well, they have such belief in what they do and it’s a huge compliment to him.

‘I have huge credit for what he’s done, the way he’s done it, the way his team plays and the environment he has created – it is fantastic. He’s had a lot of support, which we all need, and now they are big contenders.’

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