Powell: Arsenal away is the perfect opener to 26/27
Crystal Palace Under-21s head coach Darren Powell reflected on a productive pre-season before looking ahead to Saturday’s Premier League 2 opener against Arsenal.
Pre-season went well
—Darren Powell
The Young Eagles have faced a varied schedule this summer, taking on Dagenham & Redbridge and Horsham FC before travelling to Rotterdam to face Feyenoord.
A 2-2 draw against the Dutch side was followed by victory over QPR, with Adler Nascimento scoring twice in both matches.
“Yeah, pre-season went well in terms of giving the boys a lot of minutes. In terms of what we're looking to do, a lot of build-up play that we've looked to practise throughout pre-season.
“Obviously, we played a couple of non-league teams, which is good for the boys. The physicality of it, and obviously the game away at Feyenoord, which was a really good test.
“It was a positive performance and a positive result, really.”
It's an exciting time
—Darren Powell
Powell has had to manage a much younger U21s group throughout pre-season, with the majority of this season’s squad made up of last year’s history-making U18s side.
A number of those players, however, have also been involved with the first team, with Charlie Walker-Smith, George King, Dean Benamar and Joel Drakes-Thomas all featuring for Pierre Sage’s side, including on the Como Cup tour.
“That hasn't been easy, shall I say. Obviously, a lot of boys went away with the first team, which is always a positive.
“That gives some of the 18s an opportunity to come up and train and play games, which we had. It was good for them and it's good to have a look at them as well within the game.
“So, in that sense, really positive for the players going up with the first team as well. But yeah, it's a younger group and it's an exciting time and it'll be a challenge, obviously.
“But one that we should be embracing as well.”
We will try to ruin the party
—Darren Powell
Palace begin their 2026/27 Premier League 2 campaign away to Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
Premier League 2 is the top level of U21 football in England, featuring 31 Category One clubs in a Swiss-style league phase. Each side plays 20 matches before the final standings determine who progresses to the end-of-season play-offs to decide the champions.
Powell is relishing the prospect of opening the campaign against the Gunners at Meadow Park.
“The boys love these kind of games and I love these games. Going up there and trying to ruin the party, so to speak.
“But yeah, first game of the season, nothing comes better than playing Arsenal away.”
How to follow
Be there in person, with admission free for supporters travelling to Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park.
Supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights will be available on Palace TV+.
Match Details
Arsenal Under-21s v Crystal Palace Under-21s
- Saturday, 22nd August
- 13:00 BST
- Meadow Park, Boreham Wood
- Premier League 2
- Watch LIVE on Palace TV+