What happened to the Arsenal academy squad that won the 2009 FA Youth Cup? One went on to win three league titles

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Arsenal last won the FA Youth Cup back in 2009, with several notable names involved in Steve Bould’s squad.

Aston Villa’s U18 squad were crowned winners of the 2025 FA Youth Cup after beating Liverpool 3-1.

Superstars from the Premier League have walked the walk in the tournament earlier in their careers, including some at Arsenal. 

Arsenal last made the final of the competition in the 2022/23 season, where West Ham won 5-1 against Jack Wilshere’s side at the Emirates. 

Wilshere was able to take inspiration from his own experiences to guide his U18 side to the final that year, having played a key role in the 2009 squad that lifted the trophy for the Gunners. 

Fans know what happened to Wilshere after his triumph as a player in Arsenal’s academy, but who were his teammates?

Almost 16 years after Steve Bould’s side won the competition in the two-legged final against Liverpool, let’s take a look at where the squad are now. 

The Arsenal academy squad to win the FA Youth Cup in 2009 – Where are they now? 

James Shea

Goalkeeper James Shea is currently a member of Luton Town’s squad after leaving Arsenal in 2013.

The shotstopper never made his senior debut for the Gunners but was named on the bench 15 times during his time in North London.

Charlie Mann

Fellow goalkeeper in the squad, Charlie Mann, left Arsenal weeks after the FA Youth Cup final and signed for Crystal Palace.

Kyle Bartley

Moving onto the defence with Kyle Bartley, the Englishman left Arsenal in 2012 to join Swansea City, with whom he won the League Cup in his first season.

Bartley is still playing and has featured heavily throughout the 2024/25 Championship season with West Brom.

Thomas Cruise

Thomas Cruise retired from football in 2015 after leaving Arsenal in 2011 without a senior appearance to his name. 

Luke Ayling

Like Bartley, fellow defender Luke Ayling is still playing, representing Middlesbrough in the Championship.

The Londoner went on to become an icon at Leeds United after cutting ties with Arsenal, and proudly has 93 Premier League appearances.

Cedric Evina

After leaving Arsenal in 2010, Cedric Evina retired in 2020 and never played in the Premier League.

Emmanuel Frimpong

Perhaps a more familiar name is Emmanuel Frimpong, who made 16 senior appearances for the Gunners under Arsene Wenger before leaving in 2014. 

Craig Eastmond

Midfielder Craig Eastmond left Arsenal in 2013 after making 10 senior appearances as a Gunner.

The Englishman signed for fifth-tier side Wealdstone in the summer of 2024.

Henri Lansbury

After leaving Arsenal in 2012, Henri Lansbury joined Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder made 150 appearances for the Tricky Trees before retiring in 2023 after a spell at Luton Town. 

Francis Coquelin

Francis Coquelin was named in Robert Pires’ best Arsenal XI as a result of his impressive contribution to the club at senior level. 

Coquelin now plays for FC Nantes and made 160 senior appearances for Arsenal.

Oguzhan Ozyakup

Now retired, Oguzhan Ozyakup had a better career than most in the FA Youth Cup team, recording 43 caps for his country, Turkey, for whom he featured at major tournaments.

Ozyakup became an icon at Besiktas, where he won three league titles.

Jack Wilshere  

Wilshere is currently interim manager at Norwich after flying the nest from coaching in Arsenal’s academy. 

The Arsenal icon sadly retired in 2022 due to his horrid injury history. 

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 

The captain of the FA Youth Cup side in 2009 was Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who is currently without a club.

The midfielder left Arsenal in 2011, but not before he’d played on the biggest stage for the Gunners, earning nine minutes of Champions League action against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Conor Henderson

Conor Henderson left Arsenal in 2013 and retired three years ago after moving to Bulgaria to play football. 

Gilles Sunu

Like Ozyakup, Gilles Sunu went on to represent his country, making 13 international appearances for Togo.

The midfielder left Arsenal in 2011 and is currently without a club.

Rhys Murphy

Currently playing for Dorking, Rhys Murphy left Arsenal in 2012 but failed to record a senior appearance for the Gunners.

Sanchez Watt

Tricky winger Sanchez Watt decided to hang his boots up in 2020 however, the ex-forward isn’t too far from the game, collecting his UEFA B coaching badge.