Arsenal U18s returned to winning ways in the U18 Premier League South with a 3-0 victory over Reading at Bearwood Park Training Facility on Wednesday afternoon.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s son, Gabriel, made his competitive debut for the U18s in the fixture, according to Arsenal youth reporter Jeorge Bird.
However, it was Emerson, the brother of Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri, who stole the show, chipping in with a goal and an assist
Primarily a winger, Gabriel is not under contract, but has been involved with the Arsenal academy.
He was first named in the matchday squad for a clash with Ipswich Town at the Sobha Realty Training Center in February.
Gabriel has also featured for the U17s, having played in October’s Premier League Cup encounter against Watford. He also played in December’s friendly against Shrewsbury Town.
He replaced Abraham Owusu-Gyasi in the 70th minute as Arsenal produced a dominant display against Reading.
Emerson opened the scoring in the 39th minute, turning Louis Zecevic John’s cut back into the net with a clinical finish.
The 15-year-old almost doubled the lead before half-time when Bowen Phillips headed towards his own goal, but he failed to hit the target.
Emerson provided the assist for Arsenal’s second goal in the 74th minute. He picked up a poor clearance and laid it back to Alex Marciniak, who curled into the top corner.
Marciniak sealed the victory late on, winning possession in a dangerous area, before he calmly slotted past Jacob Borgnis in the Reading goal.
The victory takes Arsenal to 11th position in the standings, one point adrift of a top 10 spot. They continue their U18 Premier League campaign on Saturday morning when they host West Ham United.