Birmingham 1-3 Arsenal – Under 18's – Report

After the reserves trouncing of the Blues on Tuesday night the U18s were under a little pressure to produce another reassuring display from the Arsenal and they didn’t disappoint as Steve Boulds team grabbed a well earned victory.

Steve Bould was without the Dutch international Oguzhan Ozyakup, so Conor Henderson despite picking up an injury in the previous game against Leeds dropped back in to a holding role. With Sead Hajrovic also away with the Swiss team, Bould named a young bench, and handed a first call-up to young hopeful Reice Charles-Cook.

Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe both slotted back in to the team after their international trip, whilst Ignasi Miquel made his first appearance of the season for the u18s.

Shea
Byles – Boateng – Miquel – Evina (c)
Aneke – Yennaris – Henderson
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman

Arsenal took a little while to get going and it wasn’t until the 45 minute they found the back of the net. Afobe opened his account for the season with a fine finish and placed Arsenal in the driving seat.

Arsenals second came from the man of the moment Roarie Deacon on the hour mark. If some people thought Jermaine Defoe was on fire then Deacon has spontaneously combusted scoring five goals in five appearances.

Twelve minutes later Arsenal made sure of the result as Freeman who was playing in a wide left position to compensate the return of Afobe was able to take advantage of his new position and give Arsenal a deserved 3-0 lead. The nippy forward has certainly started the season in scintillating form.

Jakub Hronec pulled a goal back for Birmingham late on and although it meant Arsenal are still yet to keep a clean sheet it was too little too late for the Blues.

Arsenal’s next game is away to Leicester who are also undefeated this season, beating Sunderland, destroying Norwich and outplaying Liverpool on their own turf with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. It should be a good test for Steve Bould’s men.

Article By – Nick Love