The Arsenal u18s kept their unbeaten run going and got back to winning ways with a narrow victory over Birmingham City on Saturday.

Dan Micciche speaks to some of the Arsenal u18s (Photo by Dan Critchlow)
Dan Micciche speaks to some of the Arsenal u18s (Photo by Dan Critchlow)

Dan Micciche’s u18 side kicked off the u18 Premier League season with two wins and two draws, before taking a break from the league action last week to get their first win in the u18 Premier League Cup.

Back in the league, they were looking to pick up three points against Birmingham City on Saturday. After consecutive league draws against Brighton and Southampton, despite scoring five goals, the key thing was to try and grind out a result this time.

That’s exactly how it panned out. Charles Sagoe Jr gave the Arsenal u18s the lead in the ninth minute, assisted by Mauro Bandeira, but that turned out to be the only goal in a tight game.

Arsenal did have the lion’s share of the chances, taking 11 shots and four on target to Birmingham’s four and one on target. But the early goal ended up being the difference-maker between the two sides.

Taylor Foran was captaining the team on the day, and the in-form Khayon Edwards, Marcelo Flores, and Amario Cozier-Duberry all started in forward areas, but they didn’t need to add to their growing goal contribution tallies on this occasion to secure the victory.

One other noteworthy squad decision was a first call-up for Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko. The young goalkeeper made the bench this week after Brian Okonkwo (Arthur’s younger brother) was on the bench in the last fixture.

Fedorushchenko is eligible for England, Colombia, and Russia, and has previously played for the Colombia u17s.

Following Saturday’s victory, the Arsenal u18s sit fourth in the u18 Premier League South, just two points off the top of the table. Under new boss Micciche, they’re yet to lose a competitive fixture.

Next up, they travel to Norwich City for a match on October 2nd at 11:30 BST.

Arsenal u18 lineup vs Birmingham City

Mitchell, Robinson, Quamina, Foran, Ibrahim, Bandeira, Sweet, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr, Edwards, Flores

Substitutes

Davies, Roberts (for Flores, 87), Fedorushchenko, Gower, Richards