Joe Willock’s brace and a late strike from substitute Yassin Fortune helped Arsenal u18s beat Manchester United with a comfortable 3-0 victory on Wednesday.

  • Joe Willock is out of contract in the summer
  • Arsenal have offered him a new deal but he has yet to agree
  • Win over United means Arsenal are 2 wins away from winning title

This means victories against Chelsea and West Ham in quick succession would seal Arsenal’s fate as u18 national champions.

Kwame Ampadu named a strong line-up with the likes of Reiss Nelson, Donyell Malen and goalscorer Willock all featuring from the offset. Edward Nketiah started ahead of Fortune, the only alteration before kick-off.

u18s team: Virginia; Osei-Tutu, Olowu, Medley, T. Bola; McGuane, Dasilva; J. Willock, Nelson (Gilmour, 88′), Malen (Dragomir, 84′); Nketiah (Fortune, 84′). Unused subs: Crean, Omole.

United were the brighter side in the early exchanges and came close on two occasions. Both Josh Bohui and Callum Gribbin failed to trouble Joao Virginia in the Gunners goal.

However, the Portuguese starlet was forced into action with two fantastic stops to deny Ethan Hamilton and Zak Dearnley, keeping the scores goalless.

This wasn’t to last long though.

Willock opened the scoring after 15 minutes, following a probing pass by Jordi Osei-Tutu. The versatile 17-year-old midfielder is yet to sign professional terms despite being offered a contract and given his displays of late, it’s no surprise that the club’s hierarchy want him to remain beyond the current campaign.

Arsenal grew into the match as proceedings continued and enjoyed large spells in possession before doubling their lead. Willock darted through the hosts’ backline and fired home beyond goalkeeper Theo Richardson, before Fortune’s fresh legs were perfect in helping to inflict the hammer blow of United’s distant hopes to recover a two-goal deficit late on.