U21s: Wolves v Arsenal - Preview

Top goalscorer, Arsenal Under-21s regular and now the under-18s’ Youth Cup captain. It is fair to say Dan Crowley is a highly influential figure in the Gunners’ academy sides.

The 17-year-old has already netted eight times this season and is joint third in the Uefa Youth League scoring charts after five goals in six games, including a hat-trick at Galatasaray.

After leading Arsenal Under-18s into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Crowley has his sights set on the under-21s’ clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday - and bouncing back from the 3-1 defeat against Bolton Wanderers.

“I’m loving my football at the moment,” Crowley told Arsenal.com. “Andries Jonker and the academy staff have made it really easy for me. They told me that I’ve got to set up and score more goals - that’s what I’m looking to do.

“We’ve been playing really well. Steve Gatting’s got us going really well, playing good football with runs in behind. It’s nice to be on winning sides.

“It’s great for all of us because our back four have all played 90 minutes for the under-21s. Stefan O’Connor has played for the first team and that was a great experience for him.

“Tyrell Robinson and Chiori Johnson have played lots of football for the under-18s but have been doing really well in the under-21s. We’ve got an experienced but very young side.

“We were playing good football against Bolton and moving the ball around well but we couldn’t break them down towards the end. I suppose we’ve got to learn that if we can’t win it, then we shouldn’t lose it. It’s been a big lesson for us.”