by Andrew Crawshaw
August 11 Arsenal v Aston Villa (4 – 2)
Team
Mitchell
Daley Campbell, Spencer Adams, Ogungbo, Swanson
M Smith, McEneff
Dennis (39), Musah, Cottrell (80)
Balogun
Subs Oyegoke (39), Taylor-Hart (80), Virginia (gk), Matthews, Patino
An excellent start from Arsenal with Balogun scoring in th e4th minute following an assist by Musah. Musah then doubled our lead in the 26th minute. Dennis then had to be substituted in min 38 being replaced by schoolboy Daniel Oyegoke. The first half ended 2 – 0 to Arsenal.
Our intensity dropped somewhat in the second half allowing Villa to come back into the game with goals from Michael Tait and substitute Colin Odutayo. we regained conttrol of the game and another of our schoolboys Kido Taylor-Hart scoring in th e86th minute shortly after coming on. The points were secured when Balogun got his second goal of the match in the 90th minute.
No video highlights on the Arsenal player I’m afraid. Thanks to Jeorge Bird for his coverage of these games, his team sheets and summaries are far better than those on Arsenal.com
August 18 Brighton v Arsenal (0 – 2)
Team
Okonkwo
Daley-Campbell, Spencer-Adams, Ogungbo, Swanson
M Smith, Olayinka
Balogun, McEneff, Musah
John-Jules
Subs
Graczyk, Greenwood, Matthews, Cottrell, Alebiosu
This was a game where our youngsters had to work very hard against a well drilled Brighton Team. We got our first goal right at the end of the first half courtesy of an own goal by Hatden Roberts who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after a shot came back off the post.
Our second half pressure eventually paid off when we were awarded an 87th minute penalty which Matt Smith made no mistake with.
New summer signing Sam Greenwood (a striker transferred from Sunderland) and fellow first year scholar Alfie Matthews both made their debuts as late substitutes.
There is a highlights video on the Arsenal player
August 25 Arsenal v Leicester (7 – 0)
Team
Okonkwo
Daley-Campbell, Spencer-Adams, Ogungbo, Swanson
M Smith, Olayinka (74)
Saka (65), McEneff, Musah
John-Jules(69)
Subs
Cottrell (65), Greenwood (69), Alebiousu (74), Hein (gk), Matthews
This was a game we dominated quickly showing we were far too good for Leicester on the day. James Olayinks openend the scoring in Min 17 with an assist from Matt Smith who then assisted Tyreece John-Jules for the second goal in Min 37. Two minutes later it was three nil as Tyreece got his second, this time with an assist from Saka.
An early penalty in the second half enabled Tyreece to get his hat-trick before two goals from Saka in Mins 50 and 55 put the result absolutely beyond doubt. Matt Smith with a hat-trick of assists. Ogungbo (a schoolboy) ended the scoring in the 64th minute scoring from a set play delivery from Saka followig a foul on th eright hand touchline.. We then made three substitutions between Min 65 and 74) with Ben Cottrell, Ryan Alebiousu and Sam Greenwood entering the fray. Unfortunately we somewhat lost momentum and were unable to add to our seven goals.
Unbeaten after three matches, and top of the table, and on to meet Chelsea (so often our nemesis at this level).
There is a highlights video on the Arsenal player
Sept 01 Chelsea v Arsenal (3 – 1)
Team
Okonkwo
Daley-Campbell (59), Spencer Adams, Ogungbo, Swanson
Matt Smith, McEneff
Musah (74), Coyle (65), Saka
Balogun
Subs
Clarke (59), Greenwood (65), Cottrell (74), Hein (gk), Matthews
Two U18 stars had played for the U23s the previous evening as they beat Spurs. They were replaced by Trae Coyle (returning from injury to make his first start of the season) and Falorin Balogun.
Chelsea took an early lead in the 4th minute when Thierno Ballo scored despite early pressure from Arsenal which require two excellent saves from the Chelsea keeper. The first half ended with Chelsea dominant but unable to add to their early goal.
Chelsea added a second through Mola in the 55th minute and despite us pulling a goal back in the 70th minute (thanks to a Balogun strike following good play from substitute right back Harry Clarke) Chelsea were too strong and completed the scoring in the 80th minute, Ian Maatsen being the scorer
There is a highlights video on the Arsenal player
Not our finest game, when we did get a sight of goal the Chelsea keeper was in brilliant form to deny us. Chelsea did take theirs and that was the major difference between the teams.
After four games the top three of Tottenham, West Ham and Arsenal seemed to be pulling ahead in terms of goals scored, in fourth place Reading are keeping touch but are nowhere near as prolific. West Ham would seem to have the best defence, closely followed by Chelsea and ourselves.
Chelsea having won the league the last two seasons were surprisingly slipping with only 2 wins out of four games – albeit that they comprehensively beat us in our only defeat of the season in the first four.
Now at this point the under 18 league went into hibernation, from which it finally emerged yesterday with an Arsenal 1-0 win over Southampton. As a result the table now looks like this
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
| Arsenal | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 12 |
| Aston Villa | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| West Ham United | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Chelsea | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| Reading | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 10 |
| Brighton and Hove Albion | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 6 |
| Fulham | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -3 | 5 |
| Leicester City | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 4 |
| Southampton | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 14 | -7 | 1 |
| Swansea City | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 1 |
| Norwich City | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 0 |
Our next match is on Sunday 23 September against Everton at 4pm at the Emirates Stadium. It is live on Sky TV, as is a match played immediately before it: West Ham v Chelsea.
Final score and Live Match report Newcastle – Arsenal : 1-2
I’m sorry, the last paragraph makes little sense in the context of U18 football as both those games are first team fixtures. Our next U18 match is next Saturday 22nd when we are away at Norwich. The game on Sunday is our first team game at home to Everton which we will without doubt win as both WALTER and Carine will be in the house.
Off topic our Women have their second Continental Tyres Cup game this afternoon att 14:00 against Lewes Women at the wonderfully named Dripping Pan ground in Lewes. A small ground against a team in the WSL Championship, so one level down from Arsenal. If you are within travelling distance then I would seriously suggest you join me in making the trip. It should be a really good game between two teams both in fine attacking form..
For our Women it is the first of three games in 8 days as we are away against Yeovil on Wednesday 19:45; then at home on Sunday against West Ham with a 14:00 kickoff. Massive thanks to the club for making it impossible to see both that game and the men at 16:00. Why couldn’t the Women be at the Ems with a 13:00 kickoff!
Thanks Andrew.
I just looked at the women’s twit feed, and the latest entry (9 or so minutes ago) says less than 10 minutes to kickoff. So they are off and running, so to speak.
I guess a lineup is needed.
Peyraud-Magnin, Samuelsson, Bloodworth, Mitchell, Walti, Little, Nobbs, van de Donk, Evans, McCabe, Miedema
Subs: Van Veenendaal, Quinn, Williamson, Mead
It would appear we still have a bunch of injuries, with only 4 on the bench.
In the 6th minute, Arsenal open the scoring.
It should be about the middle of the first half for the women, and so far just the one goal incident is mentioned in the twit feed.
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Over in Wolves-land, it is half time. Wolves have had very little caution thrown at them, only 76 minutes across 4 games, suffering 9 treatments and inflicting only 2 treatments. In today’s game, so far Burnley has picked up 2 yellows already (on 4 fouls). Wolves have also committed 4 fouls, and no cards. Burnley hasn’t been found inflicting many treatments either, so it isn’t surprising that I see no comments about players being down (it is always possible that players have needed treatments, but it isn’t in the records).
I went upstairs to get a coffee, and when I got back, I see Arsenal have found the opponents net another 3 times.
COYWG!
It should be half time for the women. Twice before the half ended, we were given penalties, which were converted. We now have 2 players on braces.
COYWG!
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Marriner is continuing to show that he can divide by 2 in the Wolves game. Burnley got to 6 fouls, which means 3 yellows now given to Burnley. Still no sign of treatments to either side.
I think the spuds game yesterday had 32 fouls and no cards. Not even persistent infringement.
Second half started for the women. We’ve gotten another shot at the opponents net, but it didn’t go in.
COYWG!
—
Marriner is continuing to show that he can divide by 2 in the Wolves game. Burnley got to 8 fouls, which means 4 yellows now given to Burnley. Still no sign of treatments to either side. Wolves on 10 fouls, now have 2 yellows. As this latest yellow is in extra time, it really has little effect.
Some medja outlet had a headline about what Torreira has brought to Arsenal. My guess is Húngara (a spicy frankfurter).
OneFootball has a story about Petr Cech buying a ‘frame’ to help a young disabled boy learn how to walk.
https://en.onefootball.com/%F0%9F%8E%A5-this-is-why-arsenal-keeper-petr-cech-is-just-a-great-human-being/
The women’s game ends, with two Gunners having hat tricks! Congratulations on a great win!