French test for Arsenal juniors as NextGen campaign begins

Internazionale's youth-team coach, Andrea Stramaccioni, is thrown into the air by his players after they won the NextGen Series final by beating Ajax at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road. Stramaccioni is now first-team manager (AP)

Arsenal begin their NextGen campaign tonight against Marseilles in Barnet and Arsène Wenger has spoken of his enthusiasm for the competition.

"It is a bit like the Champions League of the youth teams," he said. "What we want to create is an elite group of young boys who can play in the NextGen."

The Under-19 tournament for Europe's best clubs started last season and was won by Internazionale.