Arsenal U18s have endured a frustrating season in terms of results but they managed to secure a 2-1 victory away to their West Ham counterparts this week.
With the U21 season having finished early following the club’s elimination from the playoffs, some of the older players have been given game time at U18 level in recent weeks.
The likes of Andre Harriman-Annous, Ife Ibrahim, Ceadach O’Neill, Theo Julienne, Evan Mooney and Josh Ogunnaike all started against West Ham.
Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners, with Mooney and Louis Zecevic John getting on the scoresheet.
Harriman-Annous, who featured for the first-team earlier this season, was especially impressive as he linked play well from midfield and provided the assist for Zecevic John’s goal.
Arsenal U18s now have two games remaining this season – at home to Reading and away to Crystal Palace.
For the aforementioned players it will be their final time representing the club at this level before they become U21 players on a full-time basis.
The majority of that group have already featured prominently for the U21s and it will be interesting to see how their development is managed next season in terms of them getting closer to the first-team squad.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird