Arsenal U18s ended the season without silverware – finishing third in the league and being knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at the quarter-final stage by Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
However, in terms of development – the principal method of measuring success at this level – there was plenty to be proud of, especially given that a significant change occurred regarding the coaching staff during the campaign.
Jack Wilshere’s departure in October for Norwich City saw Adam Birchall step up as the lead coach for the U18s and the former Arsenal forward certainly seized the opportunity.
There was an exciting end to the campaign as an Arsenal side that had fostered a strong team spirit challenged for the title.
In the end they just missed out on that objective but there were some memorable moments throughout the season, not least the incredible goalscoring contributions of Dan Casey and Max Dowman, who scored 18 and 15 league goals respectively.
Casey, who will be classed as an U21 player from next season, made an impact whether deployed up front, in midfield or, towards the end of the season, as a left winger.
Dowman, meanwhile, defied even the incredibly high expectations of him as he frequently captained the team at the age of 15 and scored many superb goals.
Birchall has also frequently remarked upon Dowman’s hard work out of possession, while it is evident that he is capable of dragging the whole team forwards almost single-handedly at times. It seems safe to say that he won’t be playing too much for the U18s next season and will instead be operating at higher levels.
Early in the campaign, when Wilshere was still in charge, it became evident that Arsenal would mainly be focusing on a young group at this level this season, with some of the second years seemingly cast aside.
Some of the older players, though, such as Brayden Clarke, Louie Copley and Will Sweet, still made an impact for the U18s.
With a team mainly comprised of first year scholars, Arsenal often gave a good account of themselves and found the net with regularity, although the defensive vulnerability that has often been apparent at this level was very much in evidence again.
Some schoolboys made an excellent impact, with Marli Salmon even stepping up to the U21s, while Teshaun Murisa and Brando Bailey-Joseph gained plenty of valuable experience with the U18s.
In terms of first year scholars, Andre Harriman-Annous is already a key part of the U21 squad, while Ife Ibrahim made excellent progress throughout the season in midfield. Centre-back Samuel Onyekachukwu also stepped up well.
Theo Julienne unfortunately missed part of the season through injury but often made an impact when he was fit and there were some encouraging signs from forward Louis Zecevic John.
Ceadach O’Neill had some good moments in his first season at Arsenal and there is a feeling that there is more to come from the winger, while Josh Ogunnaike stepped up when needed at left-back.
Jack Porter and Khari Ranson shared the goalkeeping duties, although Arsenal are now looking to bring in another shot-stopper at this level.
There could be further recruitment in the summer which, added to the exciting crop of new scholars, bodes well for next season.
**Arsenal U18s appearances 2024/25 (goals in brackets) – all competitions**
Players in italics left during the season
Players with \* played as trialists
Ife Ibrahim – 27 (1)
Ceadach O’Neill – 25 (5)
Dan Casey – 24 (20)
Brayden Clarke – 22
Louis Zecevic John – 21 (7)
Samuel Onyekachukwu – 21 (1)
Josh Ogunnaike – 20 (1)
Brando Bailey-Joseph – 19 (5)
Alex Marciniak – 18 (4)
Max Dowman – 18 (18)
Teshaun Murisa – 17
Louie Copley – 17 (2)
Cam’ron Ismail – 16 (1)
Andre Harriman-Annous – 16 (11)
Will Sweet – 16
Theo Julienne – 16
Jack Porter – 14
Daniel Oyetunde – 13 (2)
Khari Ranson – 11
Sam Chapman – 10
Marli Salmon – 9
Maalik Hashi – 6
Jack Talbot – 4
_Bless Akolbire – 4_
Zac Shuaib – 4
Marcell Washington – 2\*
Josiah King – 2
Max Kuczynski – 1
Fraser Harper – 1\*
Ronnie Gorman – 1\*
Marley Frohock – 1
Abraham Owusu-Gyasi – 1
Josh Tahou – 1
Kyran Thompson – 1
Others called up: _Danny Dixon_, Jack Tomlin, Jaiden Owen\*, Patrick Stachow, Joshua Sesay, Charlie Phillips.
Not called up: Reece Clairmont, Jakai Fisher.
Statistics via Transfermarkt