Our under-18s took all three points from an entertaining London derby against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon at Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Having fallen behind to an early penalty, Max Dowman drew us level right before the break with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
Two more fantastic finishes in the second half from Daniel Oyetunde and Ceadach O’Neill secured the victory in our first league game of 2025.
Despite a positive start from Adam Birchall’s team, West Ham struck the first blow after Andre Dike was brought down in the penalty area. Top scorer Elisha Sowunmi made no mistake from the spot, sending Khari Ranson the wrong way.
The game sprung into life after the opening goal, with Dowman and Sowunmi both coming close for their respective sides.
12 minutes before half-time, we found our equaliser. Ceadach O’Neill got us forward down the right side and teed us Max Dowman, who drove his effort into the back of the net.
After the break, we were straight on the front foot and almost took the lead when Finley Hooper saved Dowman’s excellent free-kick attempt.
We took the lead after 68 minutes when Daniel Oyetunde, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, fired a volley into the back of the net.
Fifteen minutes later we rounded out the victory in style as Ceadach O’Neill rifled a fine effort into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.
That looked to be the end of Saturday’s action, but West Ham were awarded a 93rd-minute penalty and a chance to get a goal back.
Khari Ranson had other ideas though, producing an outstanding double save to deny Andre Dike and cap off a brilliant display from our Gunners.
What It Means
Our first points of 2025 put us on 13 points after ten games played.
What’s Next
Next up for our Under-18s is another London derby, this time in the FA Youth Cup away to Fulham on Friday, January 31.
Kick-off at Motspur Park Training Ground is scheduled for 7pm (UK time)
Line-Ups
Arsenal XI: Ranson, Clarke, Ogunnaike, Onyekachukwu, Sweet, Ibrahim, O’Neill, Julienne (Akolbire, 84), Zecevic-John (Oyetunde, 66), Dowman, Harriman-Annous
Subs (not used): Talbot, Chapman, Casey
West Ham XI: Hooper, Medine, Scanlon (Montague, 88), Kamara, Oyebade, Nwosu (Unwin, 79), Sowunmi (Obi, 79), Hargan, Chigwada (Balogun-Ajisafe, 66), Caliste, Dike
Subs (not used): Nightingale
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