Arsenal u18s beat Southampton 5-1 over the weekend, and manager Kwame Ampadu was pleased the Gunners kept going after a slow start.

As reported in our match review, Arsenal were only 1-0 up at half-time, and it didn’t seem like the Gunners were going to go out with a four goal win at that stage. However, that changed later on in the match, as the team hit their stride and found three late goals.

Ampadu told Arsenal Player: “I thought it was a little bit of a slow burner to begin with. We haven’t had a game for a couple of weeks, so it took us a little bit of time to find our rhythm and then when we did we were able to quicken the pass and quicken the tempo and create some chances.”

Among those on the scoresheet for the Gunners was Tyreece John-Jules, and the striker has taken advantage of a slightly depleted squad in recent weeks to get involved with the goals.

With Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson joining up with the senior squad, the u23s have needed help to fill places. Fellow u18 forward Emile Smith-Rowe headed off with England for the u17 World Cup, all of which has left an opening for Tyreece.

Although he didn’t make an appearance in the opening four matches of the campaign, the 16-year-old now has three goals and an assist in three consecutive starts for the u18s.

As a youth player, all you can do is take the opportunities you’re given, so it’ll be encouraging for the youngster that he’s managed to do just that.