The Arsenal u18s got back to winning ways on Saturday thanks to a late goal from Angelinou Pedro to secure a 2-1 result away to Aston Villa.
The Arsenal u18s took on Aston Villa away from home on Saturday, looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners made a strong start on that front, as Louis Zecevic-John won a penalty in the 18th minute and stepped up to convert the spot-kick for 1-0.
Zecevic-John was involved in another big decision early in the second half, as the referee dismissed Vincely Mudame for a last-man foul on the winger. The Gunners almost finished the game off there and then, with Teshaun Murisa going close from the subsequent free-kick.
Yet despite Arsenal having the man advantage and putting pressure on Villa, the hosts scored from a counter-attack in the 75th minute to make it 1-1.
Kyran Thompson went close with a deflected effort late on, but it took until the third minute of injury time for Thompson’s corner to hit the post and ultimately land at the feet of Angelinou Pedro to score and win the match for the young Gunners.
Arsenal have now picked up two league wins in their last three matches, an encouraging upturn in form after no wins in the previous seven league games.
All the same, the team are languishing in mid-table at the moment. They’ll need plenty more wins in the remaining games to earn a decent finish.
Arsenal u18 lineup vs Aston Villa
Talbot, Mbala, Chapman, Pedro, Owusu-Gyasi, Murisa, Sampang, Purdy, Zecevic John, Thompson, Frohock
Substitutes
Hashi (for Purdy, 59), Tahou (for Mbala, 65), Abubakar (for Frohock, 65), Phillips, Odaji-Ukueku
What’s next?
The Arsenal u18s are next in action at home to Norwich City, the u18 Premier League south’s second-to-last team.
Norwich are only four points clear of bottom club Ipswich Town, and Ipswich have four games in hand. So it’s very possible Norwich will drop down to the foot of the table if their final games don’t go well.
Arsenal will look to compound the away side’s woes and get another win next Saturday, February 28th at 12:00 GMT.