Jack Wilshere earned his first competitive win in management on Saturday, coaching the Arsenal u18s to a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Omari Benjamin celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Omari Benjamin celebrates a goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Following a narrow and largely undeserved 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on the opening day of the season, followed by a draw away to Fulham the next weekend, Jack Wilshere was on the hunt for his first win as Arsenal u18 manager going into this Saturday’s match.

There could be no better time to get it than against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who came into the match two points ahead of Wilshere’s side.

16-year-old striker Omari Benjamin had secured Arsenal their draw against Fulham the previous weekend, scoring their equaliser on the day, and he made a whirlwind start against Spurs.

Within four minutes, Benjamin had given Arsenal the lead, and he doubled the advantage in the 17th minute after an assist from 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

It didn’t take long for the young striker to have his hat-trick, netting in the 24th minute for 3-0.

The half ended in predictably combative fashion, with Bradley Ibrahim and Maldini Kacurri picking up yellow cards for Arsenal, and Jahziah Linton receiving two yellows for Spurs, who went down to 10 men.

Yet perhaps that led to a little complacency in the second half, as Damola Ajayi pulled a goal back for 3-1.

Keen not to let Spurs back into the game, Arsenal restored their three-goal advantage with young Nwaneri getting on the scoresheet. The match finished 4-1 to secure Wilshere his first three points as a manager.

Ethan Nwaneri playing for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Ethan Nwaneri playing for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

The Arsenal u18s regularly have a standout attacker or two, but it’s exciting to see two youngsters in Benjamin and Nwaneri playing such a leading role for the side in the early weeks of the season.

The pair have provided all of the team’s goals and assists so far, and they’ll want to keep building on that start in the coming weeks.

For now, Wilshere’s u18s end the weekend back ahead of their local rivals and up to fifth in the table.