Come to Top Field and spot Arsenal stars of the future!

Hitchin Town FC have announced a friendly against Arsenal U18s this weekend.

Mark Burke's Canaries had been due to host an open day on Saturday, but cancelled the event when they took a call from the north London giants.

A club spokesman: "Unfortunately we have had to cancel the open day that was due to take place at Top Field this Saturday, but it is for the best possible reason.

"We took a phone call from Arsenal on Thursday afternoon asking us to play their Under 18 side at Top Field on Saturday with an 11am kick-off as they had been let down with their original fixture.

"Manager Mark Burke could only really give one answer so we are now hosting the future stars of the Premier League giants."

Previous Hitchin Town vs Arsenal U18 games

First team star Emile Smith Rowe played in this fixture back in November 2016, while Josh Dasilva, now plying his trade with Premier League new boys, also featured.

The match was to mark the inauguration of Hitchin's new floodlights and saw Gunners legend Pat Rice introduced as guest of honour along with other former Arsenal players including Brian Talbot, with Geordie Armstrong's family also invited as Kaylen Hinds scored in a 1-1 draw.

Gunners attacker Joe Willock, who came on as substitute in the 2019 Europa League final and is being courted by Newcastle United, was on the bench at Top Field that night five years ago.

Canaries vs Young Guns, 2019

More recently Arsenal U18s lined up at Top Field two summers ago, as Ken Gillard's side drew 1-1.

Players included Kido Taylor-Hart, who signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in July, while the talented Miguel Azeez played for the first team during their pre-season tour of Scotland last month, and is considered a hot prospect by many seasoned observers, also featured at Top Field two years ago.

The club will be charging for this game and all the gate receipts will be spent on the further ground improvements that the Canaries need to complete.

Kick-off

Kick-off will be at 11am on Saturday morning at Top Field.

Tickets

Adults £10, Concessions £6, Teenagers £2 and Accompanied Children £1.

This match is all-ticket – with no cash turnstiles.

Tickets are on sale through the Hitchin Town website here

Read Hitchin Nub News for full coverage of this match from Top Field on Saturday and follow @HitchinNubNews and @laythy29 for the latest news.

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Last time out

The last time Arsenal U18s played Hitchin Town at Top Field, Saturday, July 27, 2019

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, Jack Green, Alex Anderson, Charlie Hayford (reporter's Hitchin star man), Dan Webb, captain, Lewis Ferrell, Max Ryan, Harry Draper, GOAL 53 MINUTES, Lewis Barker, Mo Ahmed, Dev Simms.

Substitutes used (all second-half), Jay Dowie, Scott Belgrove, Kieran Barnes, Joe Gauge, Marcus Crowther, James Verney, Taishan Griffiths.

Not used – Kieron Gordon-Stream and Leon Okuboyejo.

ARSENAL XI

Tom Smith, Ryan Alebioso, Joel Lopez, Miguel Azeez, Lev Laing, Mazeed Ogungbo, Matthew Dennis, GOAL, 49 MINUTES, Stan Flaherty, Sam Greenwood, Alfie Matthews, Kido Taylor-Hart.

All second-half substitutes: Jason Sraha, Hubert Graczyk, Luke Plange, Nathan Butler- Oyedeji, Catilian Cirjan, Zane Monlouis, Zach Awe, Henry Jeffcott.

REFEREE: Mr D Knox, assisted by Mr A Walker and Mr C Geelan.

ATTENDANCE: 654