Arsenal under-18s head coach Adam Birchall was proud of his side’s performance as we rounded off the 2024/25 campaign with a win.
A brace from the in-form Max Dowman and a powerful finish from Louis Zecevic John secured all three points and confirmed a third-place finish in the U18 Premier League South.
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On ending the season with a win…
“Yes, I'm really pleased with a lot of areas today. It started with the challenge around the mentality piece today, with the league being done, and this being the last game of the season.
We set out to be relentless and push through to the end of the season, of our last game, and I thought we did that today. We controlled the game and took our goals well. I think it's safe to say that the team seemed quite confident and at times definitely brave on the ball.”
On Dowman’s performance…
“I think the best goal I liked that he did today was when he pressed on the edge of the box, won the ball back and scored to really show his personality in and out of possession.
Obviously, people see him and he glides and he moves so wonderfully with the ball, but that side of the game, I know, means a lot to him. He's really trying to develop it, and that showed development today. So, yes, he had a wonderful day.”
On his first season as head coach of the Under-18s…
“Yes, it's not really been a whole season. I think it was always difficult taking over someone like Jack Wilshere, who's a legend here and someone that I'm really close with personally. So that was always going to be difficult. But I must say that the support from the staff, the academy, and the club has really helped me feel at home in this role. Not without its challenges and its expectations, but I've really enjoyed it. And like a good ship, the season should be, there have been ups and downs.
“But when I look at the boys play today and I can really see their development areas, I'm just so pleased for them. And that's always the ultimate goal for me as a head coach is to develop the individuals within the team.
“So, yes, I'm pleased with that. We'll go away, reflect on some stuff, see some areas that I can do better, and we can do better to help the players develop. And we're looking forward to next season with the crop of Under-16s coming up, ready to go for pre-season.”
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