Arsenal U18s came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the U18 Premier League South at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.
The victory extended the young Gunners’ winning streak in the competition to four games, moving them up to fourth in the standings.
The game got off to an electric start with chances at both ends.
Tottenham were the first to threaten when Oliver Boast struck the woodwork before Bernard’s effort was tipped over the bar at the other end.
Chances then became few and far between as both sides struggled to create clear openings until Hakeem Abubakar slipped a pass to Jaden Maghoma, whose effort whisked past the post.
Shortly after the restart, Spurs went ahead as Cayon Hanson drove through the midfield. He then fed Vidal-Philbert, who fired his shot past goalkeeper Jack Talbot.
Arsenal responded immediately, with Hakeem Abubakar delivering a cross into the box where Mylo Bernard was waiting to guide the ball into the net.
Arsenal had Talbot to thank for keeping the scores level, as the English goalkeeper produced a superb save to prevent Armend Muslika’s free-kick from restoring Spurs’ lead.
Talbot was then forced off after colliding with Boast and was replaced by fellow Englishman Maximillian Lo Presti.
Lo Presti’s stay was short-lived as he collided with Phoenix Offiah, leaving Arsenal with no natural goalkeeper.
Joshua Sesay replaced him, but it was Emerson Nwaneri who finished the game between the sticks for Arsenal.
Playing in an unfamiliar position did not prevent Nwaneri from making an impact in the final third.
The stand-in goalkeeper delivered a free-kick to Luis Munoz, who set up Bernard for the winning goal to secure all three points for Arsenal.
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