Arsenal 5-1 Fulham – Under 18's – Match Report

Arsenal’s Under 18’s extended their mighty advantage over the chasing pack in Academy League Group A this morning, after smashing Fulham 5-1 at London Colney.

Steve Bould returned to take charge of the youngsters after going on a scouting mission last week, but kept the same names that Liam Brady deployed.

Szczesny
Obed – Miquel – Boateng – Evina
Rasmussen – Aneke – Ozyakup – Freeman
Deacon – Afobe

Subs – Shea – Yennaris – Emmanuel-Thomas – Neita.

The usually robust and tactically sound Fulham looked a shadow of their former selves in the opening stages, and were quickly set upon by the rampant Gunners.

Luke Freeman slotted home his 6th of the campaign on 9 minutes, before Oguzhan Ozyakup doubled the advantage from the spot 10 minutes later.

The Whites were in need of some solid defending, and maybe that could have been provided by former Arsenal defenders Anton Blackwood and Oliver Nicholas who were named on the visitors bench.

However, it was a defender who would bring Fulham back into it, but surprisingly it was one in a red shirt. Danny Boateng forced the ball beyond Szczesny under pressure, halving the arrears.

Yet it only lasted 60 seconds. Benik Afobe bullied his way forward and matched Freeman’s 6 goal haul shortly before half time.

Half time brought an opportunity to re charge, and with the whistle for the second period, Arsenal went straight for the jugular.

Ozyakup clipped home his second of the fixture, doubling his tally for the season in one game. There was just enough time for Nigel Neita to mark his home debut with a goal after replacing Afobe, summing up a terrific morning for the Gunners.

Article By – J.Sanderson

33 thoughts on “Arsenal 5-1 Fulham – Under 18's – Match Report

  • March 14, 2009 at 7:42 pm
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    J, why on Arsenal.com do they not use the correct player names? Ignacio Pens and Nico Yannans??

    Also, who’s this Nigel Neita character and what position does he play?

    and Wasnt Nicholas at Man City?

    Reply
  • March 14, 2009 at 7:43 pm
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    Who is Nigel Neita, Where does he play?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 7:43 pm
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    J- What are you thoughts on some of these u18 players that don’t get as much chatter focused on them, like Obed, Boateng, Rasmussen, Aneke and Deacon? Anyone who follows your site knows all about Freeman, Afobe and our younger signings but how about some focus on the others coming through? Or are they not worth focusing on (harsh but football be brutal).

    Also, what about these newbies Neita and Yennaris?

    Reply
  • March 14, 2009 at 7:59 pm
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    have we sold anton blackwood then??
    and have we signed nigel neita ?? and from where i saw he was at man utd before

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:03 pm
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    Who the heck is this Neita guy?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:13 pm
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    nice performance as usual, afobe and freeman look very promising. Update on Rosicky?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:18 pm
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    freemans gol rtio is good

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:21 pm
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    wasn’t it true that the little polish standing in goal for this game? is he eligible for U18 (age wise)? and is his toe broken that sidelined him for the rest of the season?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:21 pm
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    Great Result! Hopefully Samir Carruthers wont want to join them now.

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:22 pm
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    Today is a great day for Arsenal…both kids and first team scoring a handful..Keep it Goonerish!!!

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:24 pm
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    hey J

    Who would you compare Ozyakup to, he seems to be doing really well for the U18’s. Also do you have any info on rosicky i remember you reporting that he would be back by the end of the month is he still on course or has he had a setback?

    Reply
  • March 14, 2009 at 8:30 pm
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    when did blackwood leave us?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:30 pm
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    Eh? Anton Blackwood no longer plays for Arsenal? Since when did tgis happen?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:41 pm
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    when did anton blackwood leave Arsenal? I heard that Oliver Nicholas had left Man City but hadn’t heard about Blackwood

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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    When did Blackwood & Nicholas leave Arsenal?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:46 pm
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    what do u think of neita sanderson?

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  • March 14, 2009 at 8:54 pm
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    Hi Sanderson…can you tell me if Nigel Nieta is the same player that played for Manchester United youth team last year?

    It seemed we’ve nicked him from under their noses. Is he any good?

    Reply
  • March 14, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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    Nigel Nieta is a young striker who can play on the wing. He’s quite tall, good in the air and has good pace. A young Adebayor if you like.

    Blackwood and Nicholas are on trials.

    Reply
  • March 14, 2009 at 9:09 pm
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    Great result given the team looked really inexperienced… well, if you could say that about an U18 team! There all effin inexperienced! But you get me…

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  • March 14, 2009 at 9:45 pm
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    Isnt Neita an ex-Man Utd youth player? Thanks for the report

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  • March 14, 2009 at 10:35 pm
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    Is this the Neita that was at Manchester United?

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  • March 15, 2009 at 12:59 am
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    Nigel Neita has only just turned 14…

    Jamaican prospect, they hold high hopes for him.

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  • March 15, 2009 at 5:52 am
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    Hey J!!
    Pls give us an update about Rosicky’s return. Its been a while since we have heard about him. Will he play for the reserves this month??

    Reply
  • March 15, 2009 at 9:23 am
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    Great to see Szczesny back!

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  • March 15, 2009 at 9:32 am
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    Hey J, who’s Nico Yannans who was named on the bench. Is he a trialist?

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  • March 15, 2009 at 9:14 pm
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    did jeffrey monakana get a scholarship??
    and what about josh rees he played for england in the victory shield did he get one?

    Reply
  • March 15, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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    ozyakup must be very close to break into reserve team. he seems to be too good for under 18s. j, i hope u could also post current league standing for reserve, u18 and u16.

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  • March 16, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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    Great news for Aneke and Yennaris in the England U16 squad for Montague Tournament in April. Will this be shown on tv and do you
    have some recent up to date pics @ info on both of them ?

    Reply
  • March 17, 2009 at 5:37 pm
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    GO GO GO ozyakup you are the best!

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  • March 17, 2009 at 6:08 pm
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    Hi Sanderson,
    Can you tell me when Ozyakup can play for the A team?

    I look forward to hearing from you,

    Reply
  • March 17, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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    Yes I mean the first team thank you,

    Reply
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