Following their 5-0 thrashing over Leicester last weekend, Arsenal’s u18 side continued their impressive start to the campaign with a north London derby victory over Tottenham.

Goals from Kostas Pileas, Joe Willock as well as substitute Nathan Tella, making his return from a two month injury, and talented schoolboy Trae Coyle in the final few minutes away at Spurs’ training ground saw Arsenal collect the win.

After an encouraging start to proceedings, we went a goal behind before the break with Reo Griffiths opening the scoring. Despite this though, Kwame Ampadu’s side were able to bounce back from the slender deficit in the second-half to good effect, with the likes of Willock showing their quality in the final third.

Edward Nketiah (centre) in action during Saturday's north London derby. (Photo source: Tottenham's official website)
Edward Nketiah (centre) in action during Saturday’s north London derby. (Photo source: Tottenham’s official website)

Despite a string of important stops by goalkeeper, Alfie Whiteman, at times, Spurs’ backline were eventually broken with a combination of quick-thinking and initiative in the latter stages.

The referee waved play on after Jack Roles went to ground in midfield, and with a few Spurs players appealing for a foul, Willock was sharp and on hand to take full advantage. Marauding down the left, he was able to make the hosts pay for not playing to the whistle and gave Arsenal the lead in the dying minutes.

Coyle applied the icing on the cake in stoppage time, as he was found in space and made no mistake from close-range to make it 4-2 past an onrushing Whiteman.

As a result, the u18s remain at the top of the table with 16 points from a possible 21 – having drawn one and lost another also.

After the international break, we’ve got Fulham at home followed by a UEFA Youth League tie against Ludogorets in midweek: great opportunities to record more victories.