Just two weeks after being soundly beaten 4-1 by Fulham, the Arsenal u18s have managed to turn things round, inflicting a 6-1 thrashing of their own on West Ham.

In their last match the Arsenal side appeared to have sorted out their defensive problems as they beat Aston Villa 1-0. But Saturday’s match against West Ham was a much more impressive display of what the side can do when they’re at their best.

Folarin Balogun put the side ahead in the first minute, a sign of things to come, but before long West Ham had equalised courtesy of Korrey Henry in the eleventh minute. However, Emile Smith-Rowe, who was the star on the day, soon started to turn things on and help Arsenal dominate proceedings.

Fresh from his first call up to the England u18 side, there is no doubt that Emile is considered as one of the most promising talents in the team and on this occasion the winger bagged a hat-trick.

After scoring two from open play, the young Englishman completed the hat-trick from the penalty spot. The 17-year-old has been at the club since the age of 10 and recently signed his first professional contract with the Gunners.

Another player who signed a professional contract with Arsenal recently was u18 captain Zech Medley. The centre-back, who previously revealed that he idolises Laurent Koscielny, was just as useful at the other end on this occasion, scoring two headers.

Overall a very encouraging performance from the young side, especially now that Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah have very much moved on to the u23s.

You can see all the Arsenal goals in the tweet below:

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/901440930485596161

https://twitter.com/Z_Medz/status/901426600201375744

https://twitter.com/emilesmithrowe_/status/901421668073132032