Arsenal under-18s forced to postpone match after the coach went to wrong stadium

Arsenal's under-18s, managed by former Premier League player Jack Wilshere, were forced to postpone their away game at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, after their team coach went to Bournemouth instead.

Bournemouth is 95 miles away from Brighton, with over two hours drive required to get between the two locations.

Once the error was spotted, the 12pm kick-off at the AMEX Football Centre was initially delayed for half an hour, before the Under-18s Premier League South fixture was postponed entirely.

Arsenal did not respond to a request for comment on the incident, although it was widely reported on social media.

Arsenal's young stars have been unbeaten in their last three matches, following a 3-3 draw last weekend at Crystal Palace.

The young Gunners started the weekend in sixth place in the league, five places ahead of hosts Brighton, who have picked up just six points from their first eight league games.

Wilshere took charge of Arsenal's under-18s for the first time in July 2022, and led them to the final of the FA Youth Cup earlier this year, which they lost to West Ham.

Wilshere was a former Bournemouth player, with two spells at the Cherries, but he was not expecting a return to the club today.

Arsenal's next match in the Under-18s Premier League is a home game against Norwich City.