Arsenal U21s saw their season come to an end last weekend as they were beaten 3-1 away by Manchester City in their last-16 playoff fixture.
Despite the disappointing outcome, one positive is that some of the younger players in the team, including Ceadach O’Neill, are now able to feature for the U18s for the rest of the campaign.
A Northern Ireland youth international, O’Neill has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers at academy level this season and has demonstrated his versatility by playing well as a striker, out wide and in midfield.
There has also been first-team recognition for the 18-year-old as he was named on the bench for the FA Cup fixtures against Wigan and Southampton.
In the second half of the season O’Neill has stepped up to the U21s and he has had some encouraging performances at that level.
His biggest impact this season, however, has come for the U18s, with the prospect having now scored ten goals in 12 league appearances following his successful penalty in the defeat to Crystal Palace yesterday.
There are four league games remaining for the U18s this season and O’Neill will be looking to feature prominently as he brings his time at that level to an end.
Following that, attention can then turn to next season when O’Neill will be a full time member of the U21 squad and will be targeting more involvement with the first-team.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird