Former West Ham United star Joe Cole is backing the U18s to upset Arsenal in tonight's FA Youth Cup final.

Cole won the trophy himself with the Hammers.

He told whufc.com: “To do it with your friends, and in the fashion we did it, and the style we did it in, it made it a great thing. We all met up a few years ago and it was great to see them. Everyone has such fond memories of that run and that special night.

“People still talk to me about it now. West Ham fans remember it for a long, long time, and the FA Youth Cup is really held in high regard. I loved playing in that competition.

“The Club prides itself on young players. It's the Academy of Football for a reason, with young players brought into the fold. We had some fantastic footballers in our group who went on to have great careers. It was absolutely brilliant."

On the pressure of playing in front of a partisan Arsenal crowd, Cole advised: "The boys have got to get used to it. This is the modern game now and it's a great opportunity for them to showcase what they can do. They are fantastic footballers and they are in the elite group of young players in this country.

“They have got to the final for a reason and they need to go and enjoy it, grasp the moment on the big stage, and show the world what you can do."