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U18 Premier League
Chelsea 4 (Waite 31, Gordon 37, Richards 53, Mensah-Greenwood 62 (pen.) Arsenal 0
Arsenal U18s fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat today as they were outclassed by their Chelsea counterparts at Cobham.
Brando Bailey-Joseph started on the left wing with Louis Zecevic John deployed on the right and Kyran Thompson beginning the game up front.
Porter
Owusu Gyasi-Hamill-Stachow-Mbala
Murisa
Hashi-Marciniak
Zecevic John-Thompson-Bailey Joseph
Subs: Nduka (for Marciniak, 58), Emerson Nwaneri (for Hashi, 58), B. Phillips (for Thompson, 68). Not used: Lupinski, Sampang.
Chelsea, who are chasing the league title, started brightly with Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter having to make a save to deny Jashayde Mensah-Greenwood.
Arsenal then created their first opening of the game as Thompson demonstrated good hold up play and found Bailey-Joseph, whose attempt was saved.
Alex Marciniak was then denied but it was Chelsea who took the lead as Dante Waite scored after the Blues’ initial effort was kept out.
Porter made another stop and Arsenal had a penalty claim turned down after Bailey-Joseph claimed that he was caught in the area.
Towards the end of the first half Arsenal were caught out by a long ball, with Sol Gordon taking advantage to score.
Arsenal appeared to emerge for the second half determined to improve and Bailey-Joseph had an attempt saved, while there was a slight tactical switch as Thompson and Zecevic John swapped positions.
Any chance of Arsenal getting something from the game was effectively ended as Chelsea made it 3-0 courtesy of a fine strike from Lewi Richards from outside the area.
A double change followed for Arsenal as schoolboys Emerson Nwaneri and Mishel Nduka came on for Marciniak and Maalik Hashi.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty following a foul from Mbala, with Mensah-Greenwood stepping up to convert it.
Bowen Phillips replaced Thompson and played a neat pass on one occasion but Chelsea managed to see out the game with their clean sheet intact.
It was very concerning to reflect on just how superior Chelsea were, with Arsenal in contrast sorely lacking in terms of cohesion and dynamism.
Arsenal have endured a challenging season at U18 level and remain in eleventh place in the table with a goal difference of -12.
The cameos of schoolboys Nwaneri and Nduka offer some encouragement but some of the first years haven’t quite pushed on as expected.
Arsenal have seven games remaining as they look to salvage some pride from this campaign.