The Arsenal u18s drew 3-3 against FC Koln in a friendly at the weekend, but there were certainly positives to take from a frustrating result.
The Arsenal u18s didn’t have a competitive match scheduled over the weekend, so they took the opportunity to play a friendly match against FC Koln’s u19s at London Colney.
Most of the usual starters were in the side, but Matty Roberts was making his first start of the season after injury, and he took on the captain’s armband for the game.
Elsewhere, Seb Ferdinand started on the wing, Omari Benjamin up front, and Maldini Kacurri was in defence. So it was a good test for what was mostly a full-strength Arsenal team.
Koln were certainly ready to test the Gunners, and they took the lead pretty early in the first half. But Arsenal responded from the penalty spot, with Ferdinand converting after Benjamin was fouled.
The away side retook the lead with a free-kick curled into the top corner, to put them ahead at half-time.
After the break, Ferdinand was involved again as Arsenal equalised. Carrying the ball into the box, he shielded it from a challenge and was brought down for another penalty. This time, team captain Roberts stepped up to the spot and converted for 2-2.
Arsenal made some changes after that, including the introduction of schoolboy Bless Akolbire. The youngster quickly gave Jack Wilshere’s side the advantage with the goal of the day.
Winning the ball well outside the area, Akolbire turned and feinted past one challenge before executing a ball roll past another and slotting into the bottom corner. It was his first goal at u18 level and an impressive one at that.
Koln started to put the pressure on late in the game, and just when it looked like Arsenal might escape with a win, the visitors pounced on a rebound to score with only seconds of the game remaining.
Even so, with Roberts getting his first goal back, Akolbire getting his first goal for the u18s, and Ferdinand putting in a particularly impressive performance on the wing, there was plenty to take from the friendly.
Arsenal u18 goals vs Köln. Seb Ferdinand scores a penalty, then wins another, which Matheus Roberts converts.
Last but certainly not least, Bless Akolbire scores a very nice goal, his first at this level. pic.twitter.com/dNO9wDinI2
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) October 16, 2022
What’s next?
It’s possible one or two of the u18s might be involved with the u21s on their trip to Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
Otherwise, the next u18 fixture is at home against Brighton on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:30 BST.