THERE was no Istanbul-style comeback last night, and no last-minute drama, as Arsenal comfortably secured the FA Youth Cup to deny Liverpool in last night’s final second leg at Anfield.

Like they did 20 years an Arsenal side in yellow and blue came to Merseyside and took home the silverware – a 2-1 victory last night securing a 6-2 aggregate success for Steve Bould’s talented youngsters.

The damage had already been done for Hugh McAuley’s side in the 4-1 first leg drubbing by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last Friday. And although the endeavour and application were evident from Liverpool’s youngsters, Arsenal – with England youth international midfelder Jack Wilshere pulling the strings, proved just too strong over the two legs.

Top scorer Dalla Valle – who grabbed his eight of the tournament last night – has shown his predatory instinct in the run to the final and with work on his all-round game may be able to progress through the ranks. David Amoo, Andre Wisdom, Daniel Ayala and German Christopher Buchtmann – named among UEFA’s top 10 stars of the future earlier this month – look to possess the ability and physical attributes to cope with the demands of the modern game if they can also continue their development over the next couple of years. While Steve Irwin has already featured in Gary Ablett’s reserve side, and Tom Ince and Alex Kacaniklic are both skilful performers. But now comes the hard part.

As was shown over the two games against an excellent Arsenal side, who possessed a couple of youngsters who have already featured in Arsene Wenger’s first team, they still have much to learn.

Last night Liverpool began well enough as they looked to pulled back their three-goal deficit, but on five minutes Bouzanis had to be alert to block as Wilshere, one of those with first-team experience and arguably the stellar performer of the two games, set up captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at the far post.

Liverpool were made to pay for missing the couple of half chances which may have at least given the visitors something to think about on 24 minutes when Arsenal opened the scoring. Sanchez Watt – who scored when coming on as a substitute in the first left at Emirates – broke through onto a long ball to roll home past Bouzanis.

Liverpool to their credit continued to press forward and Shea saved at full strength as Ince fired in a low shot from 20 yards eight minutes before the break.

Five minutes in the second half Liverpool levelled on the night when Dalla Valle broke into the area in a similar situation to his first half chance, but this time he coolly lifted it past the Arsenal keeper.

Liverpool suddenly came to life and Buchtmann saw one long-range shot saved and Amoo had a similar effort deflected wide, before the London-born right winger fired into the side-netting.

Arsenal, though, hit back and Watt’s rasping effort was just tipped over by Bouzanis, as the visitors continued to look threatening going forward.

Arsenal could easily have scored again, but Bouzanis tipped over from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ fierce shot.

Substitute Alex Cooper fired just over with four minutes to go, but in the end Liverpool couldn’t even manage to salvage some pride with an equaliser and Arsenal deservedly took the plaudits and the trophy.