Image: Arsenal – Gabriel Arteta
**U18 Premier League**
**Reading 0 Arsenal 3 (Emerson Nwaneri 39, Marciniak** **74, 89)**
Substitute Alex Marciniak scored a brace while schoolboy Emerson Nwaneri was also on target as Arsenal U18s returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory away to Reading today.
The game was also notable for Mikel Arteta’s son Gabriel making his competitive debut for the U18s as a substitute.
There were starts for schoolboys Nwaneri and Hakeem Abubakar, with first year scholar Bowen Phillips also involved from the outset.
Saurap Sampang was deployed at right-back.
U15s defender Zachary Van der Straaten received his first callup at this level as he was named on the bench. Goalkeeper Jack Talbot was listed amongst the substitutes after returning from injury.
**Lupinski**
**Sampang-Owusu Gyasi-Stachow-Abubakar**
**Murisa**
**Hashi-Emerson Nwaneri**
**Zecevic John-Thompson-B. Phillips**
**Subs: Marciniak (for B. Phillips, 61), Gabriel Arteta (for Owusu-Gyasi, 70), Purdy (for Hashi, 85). Not used: Talbot, Van der Straaten.**
Arsenal went into the game looking to bounce back from the disappointing 4-0 defeat that they suffered against Chelsea in their last game.
Louis Zecevic John threatened early on, with a Reading trialist booked for a foul on the Arsenal youngster.
Left-back Abubakar then hit the post as Arsenal looked to break the deadlock.
Arsenal eventually took the lead in the 39th minute with Nwaneri getting his second goal at this level after being found by Zecevic John.
Nwaneri had a further opportunity before the interval but shot over, with fellow midfielder Maalik Hashi then having an attempt saved.
Kyran Thompson’s header was kept out by Reading goalkeeper Toby Borgnis early in the second half.
Marciniak then replaced Phillips, with Arteta later coming on in place of Abraham Owusu-Gyasi.
It was then 2-0 as Marciniak scored with an effort from outside of the box following a corner.
Schoolboy Charlie Purdy received another runout at this level as he replaced Hashi.
Marciniak subsequently sealed the win as he got his second goal of the game with four minutes remaining.
Winger Arteta, who isn’t officially contracted to the club but has previously featured at U17 level, then had an effort saved.
Arsenal remain in 11th place in the table and still have six games to play this season, including the reverse fixture against Reading.