Day to remember for Poppies youngsters at the Emirates

Kettering Town's under-16 squad outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of their big win over Arsenal last weekend

And it proved to be a good day for the Poppies youngsters as they stunned their hosts with a 13-3 victory.

The under-16 manager Dan Beaman said: “The scoreline doesn’t give a true reflection of the game. Arsenal had some great individuals, three or four absolutely unreal players who did skills and tricks you only see on the internet – the ball was like glue to their feet.

“The only difference was that they tried to take everyone on and didn’t really pass to each other.

The Kettering Town under-16 players and their Arsenal counterparts pose for the camera ahead of their match last weekend

“We played as a team, with plenty of one and two touch passing. Every single one of our players played out of their skins and fought for every ball like their lives depended on it. I’ve not seen our players so pumped up for a game.

“Our keeper was amazing, and they missed the target a few times. We rode our luck at times, but we’ve also had bad luck in front of goal in the last couple of games.

“Take nothing away from our lads, we played some breathtaking football. Their manager was full of praise for our performance, attitudes and professionalism, and has asked to give us another game in a few weeks up in Kettering.

“We’ve had a progressive season so far and now it’s time for our boys to make a name for themselves in the Under-18s at Kettering, and hopefully one or two will play for the first team one day.

“They are more than capable. I am very proud of them all.”