City’s youngsters have been told to forget all about Arsenal as they plot a way through the second round of the FA Youth Cup tonight.

David Wetherall’s side face Crewe at Valley Parade – with the winners earning a glamour date away to the holders.

It is a tantalising prize for the young Bantams, who beat Southport 3-1 with a Dominic Rowe double in the last round. But Wetherall insists there is no point in looking too far ahead.

He said: “The lads will be excited and it would be wrong to say that I wasn’t when I heard the draw but it is pointless wasting a second of our time thinking about Arsenal. If we are distracted by that, we won’t get past Crewe.

“We’ve got our hands full with them first and then, if we’re successful, we can worry about the next one.”

Crewe beat Leeds at Elland Road and will start favourites for the 7pm clash. But the underdog mantle may suit the home side.

Wetherall added: “We looked a little bit edgy at first against Southport but maybe that was because everyone expected us to beat them. This time the boot’s on the other foot.

“People will see Crewe’s track record and the reputation they’ve got for bringing players through and see them as favourites but we’ve got some good players here and there is a belief that we will win the game.

“If we play to our potential then I don’t expect Crewe to be better.

“But the FA Youth Cup is a really good experience for the players. It’s about being the centre of attention and how they respond to it.

“The longer you stay in the competition, the more exposure you get. A run in this makes people sit up and take notice. That’s what the young lads want. They want to make themselves a career.”

The tie will go to extra-time and penalties if it is not decided in 90 minutes.

City youth (from): Elliott, Cheetham, Cutler, Collantine, Villermann, Holmes, Robinson, Hudson, Flett, Green, Mitchell, Rowe, Harrison, Clarke, Forsyth, Stephenson, Colley.