Arsenal’s u18s managed to pick up a win and a clean sheet in their match against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The u18 side played their second match of the season at London Colney, after falling to a 4-1 loss against Fulham, where the main issue was a very poor defensive performance.

It was a problem that the young side looked to have reflected and worked on during the week, as they managed to prevent Aston Villa from getting off the mark, winning the match 1-0.

There were two changes from the side that lost last week to the one that won this weekend. Daley Campbell, who was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s opening game, was given a start at right-back in the only change to the back-five.

Meanwhile, Dominic Thompson, who was substituted off at half-time against Fulham, this time found his role reversed, coming off the bench in the second half. He was replaced in the starting line-up by James Olayinka.

It was Olayinka in fact who provided the finish to put the Gunners ahead, scoring his first goal for the u18s. The team managed to hold on in the second half, and walked away with all three points, the perfect response to last week’s disappointment.

Line up:

Virginia; Daley-Campbell, Olowu, Medley, Omole; Ballard, Benson; Olayinka, Burton, Smith-Rowe; Balogun

Subs: Okoflex (for Olayinka, 75), Thompson (for Daley-Campbell, 83).

Not used: Okonkwo, Smith, Agbontohoma