The Arsenal u18s ended the calendar year with yet another late goal to rescue a result, this time away to Fulham 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)

After the u23 North London derby was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the Spurs camp, there was just one academy fixture remaining before the winter break – the u18 trip to Fulham.

The u18s were coming off the back of a couple of defeats, and through a scheduling quirk they were playing their fourth away game in a row.

On the positive side, they were boosted before the game by the return of Marcelo Flores from international duty.

Match report

Charles Sagoe Jr celebrates scoring for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via David Price on Twitter)
Charles Sagoe Jr celebrates scoring for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via David Price on Twitter)

Unfortunately, Arsenal seemed to be a team lacking in confidence in the first 45 minutes, as Fulham dominated the chances.

The hosts had the majority of the possession, shots, and shots on target, as Arsenal struggled to make any opportunity at all.

Fulham made that pressure pay shortly before half-time, with Oliver Sanderson converting a Michael Olakigbe cross for 1-0.

Arsenal came out in the second half determined to turn things around, and they started to take the upper hand in the contest. Taylor Foran was unlucky not to score as he hit the crossbar with a header.

After all the recent late comebacks from the u18s and u23s, it was inevitable Arsenal would leave it late to eventually get their equaliser.

In the 85th minute, Charles Sagoe Jr fired home a Khayon Edwards assist for 1-1. Arsenal pushed for a very late winner, but the points were shared in the end.

Final thoughts

Khayon Edwards with the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Edwards on Instagram)
Khayon Edwards with the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Edwards on Instagram)

Once again, that man Khayon Edwards was involved in the goals and assists. He got his 19th goal or assist for the season on Saturday, and another important one too.

The striker’s future is up in the air at the moment, as Arsenal push to extend his deal and rival clubs circle to sign him. You can read more about that situation here.

Charles Sagoe Jr is also contributing well from midfield, with six goals and two assists. He’s one of just four Arsenal u18 players to score more than a single goal this season.

But the u18 results have really slipped towards the end of the year. It’s hard to believe the side that went the first eight games unbeaten has now won just one of the following eight.

The fact they’ve only kept one clean sheet in that time (in the only win) is no coincidence. The problems at the back have certainly been the primary issue, as Arsenal have only failed to score once all season.

The result is that the u18s are out of the FA Youth Cup, they sit just above mid-table in the league, but they have at least progressed to the knockout stages of the u18 Premier League Cup – so it’s not all bad news.

Arsenal u18s lineup vs Fulham

Mitchell, Walters, Jeffcott, Ibrahim, Foran, Awe, Bandeira, Henry-Francis, Sagoe Jr, Edwards, Flores

Substitutes

Vigar (for Bandeira, 73), Gaspar, Quamina (for Jeffcott, 63), Robinson, Kovacevic

What’s next?

As mentioned, academy football is done for 2021. The u18s return with a North London derby on Saturday, January 8th at 11:00 GMT. Until then, they’ll spend some time on holiday getting refreshed and ready for the new year.