Our under-18s head coach Adam Birchall identified further improvement on previous games, despite a third defeat in a row following the 2-1 defeat in the U18 Premier League South trip to Fulham on Saturday, October 25.
Early goals from the Cottagers came after our young Gunners missed two good opportunities of their own, before Ceadach O'Neill eventually halved the deficit before the break.
"I was happier in more areas again. I think since the 6-1 loss to Stoke, we've seen a gradual improvement in a number of things.
"It's just the consistency of certain actions, alertness and proactivity needs to improve at times. We're reacting to certain things a bit too late, or we're not being proactive in our wide triangles enough.
"But there's definitely some positives today. I think we generated some good chances first half. We should have probably been more up by the time we conceded. "
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U18s report: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/under-18/2025-Oct-25/fulham-u18-2-1-under-18-match-report?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
As we sought an equaliser after the interval, we controlled a lion's share of possession but struggled to create clean-cut chances until the latter stages of the match.
Adam identified a game that offered varying halves, as Fulham altered their approach from offensive to more defensive on either side of the break, which offered a different test for our young Gunners. "Today brought about two different elements," he said. "First half, I thought there was a bit more space to attack quicker. Quick attacks give us a great opportunity for fast decision-making and offer attacking space behind.
"Second half, a slightly different position dropped off us. They let us have a lot of the ball and then you're looking at quality, timing, technique and decision-making in their positions and their units to really try and break down the opposition with some real key moments.
"I like that aspect of the game. They have to adapt within the game. Like I said, you just want to see more consistency and some of the basic stuff."
Adam offered his thoughts on what he wants to see when his side next face Aston Villa on Saturday, October 25, as they look to end the losing streak and get the season back on track, after what had been a positive start to the campaign. "I've just spoken to them now. We've got a very young team, a lot of first-years playing.
"We had Emerson Nwaneri make his debut for the under-18s today, which is all really positive.
"What they've got to learn is how to approach the next training session and not get too ahead of themselves, but knowing that we've got another opportunity over the weekend to really show the things I'm challenging them to do."
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