Atherton Nets Hat-Trick as U18s Win at Arsenal
Saturday, 22nd Aug 2026 23:50
Summer signing Chris Atherton bagged a hat-trick as Town’s U18s beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Gunners’ Sobha Realty Training Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Republic of Ireland U19 international Atherton, who joined the Blues from Chelsea last month, opened the scoring on 28, added the second five minutes before the break and completed his treble in the 59th minute.
The home side pulled a goal back through Emerson Nwaneri, younger brother of Arsenal first-teamer Ethan, with two minutes remaining.
Atherton, who made his first-team debut for Northern Irish side Glenavon aged only 13, was making only his second competitive appearance for the U18s, who are now coached by former Burton and AFC Wimbledon manager Mark Robinson alongside Jimmy Smith, who stepped up from the U16s.
U18s: Twyman, Boakye-King, Ologho, Felicio, Duggins (Olawole 46), Pedder (c) (Brentnall 67), Adetiba (Carr 77), Stewart, Olakazim (Burton-Yurevich 69), Buskell (Barry 61), Atherton. Unused: Ness.
_Photo: TWTD_