Screenshot " data-large-file="https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg?w=620" width="898" height="603" src="https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg?w=898" class="wp-image-94361" srcset="https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg 898w, https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg?w=150 150w, https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg?w=300 300w, https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img\_7260.jpg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px">
U18 Premier League
Arsenal 2 (O’Neill 13 (pen.), Zecevic John 47) Crystal Palace 3 (Anderson 30, Martin 60, 82)
Ceadach O’Neill and Louis Zecevic John both found the net but Arsenal U18s were beaten 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace today.
With the U21s having finished their season, coach Adam Birchall was able to select a slightly more experienced team than usual, with the likes of O’Neill, Theo Julienne, Brando Bailey-Joseph and Hamill all starting, while Patrick Stachow was also back involved.
Schoolboy midfielder Mishel Nduka was named amongst the substitutes after recovering from injury.
Lupinski
Sampang-Hamill-Stachow-Mbala
Murisa
O’Neill-Julienne
Zecevic John-Thompson-Bailey Joseph
Subs: Nduka (for Marciniak, 46), G. Arteta (for Zecevic John, 77), Thompson (for Julienne, 77), Hashi (for O’Neill, 81), Talbot (for Hamill, 90).
Arsenal took the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute as O’Neill scored his tenth league goal of the season at this level.
Palace equalised on the half hour mark, however, with Raihaan Anderson scoring.
Arsenal made a change ahead of the second half with Nduka replacing Alex Marciniak.
Just two minutes into the second period the young Gunners extended their lead as Bailey-Joseph sent in a corner and Zecevic John latched onto it to find the net.
Palace, though, pulled level again courtesy of Donte Martin.
Gabriel Arteta made his third appearance for the U18s, with Kyran Thompson also coming on.
Maalik Hashi later entered the fray but it was Palace who would score what would prove to be the decisive goal, with Martin scoring again.
Hamill had to be replaced in the closing stages, with goalkeeper Jack Talbot seemingly coming on as an outfield player.
Arsenal U18s remain in 11th place in the table with four games to play.