U18s report: Norwich City 1-2 Arsenal

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Our Under-18s returned to winning ways at the weekend, as Jack Wilshere’s side beat Norwich City 2-1 away from home.

A goal and assist from Ethan Nwaneri secured our victory. The 15-year-old made his return to our Under-18s side after breaking Premier League records with his first-team appearance against Brentford.

The Canaries made an exceptionally quick start to the match, taking the lead after just 5 minutes through a scrambled corner. We refused to let the early goal define the game, however, and we responded less than ten minutes later.

Seb Ferdinand did well to win the ball as Norwich threatened to break and we worked the ball through to Ismail Oulad M'Hand in the centre of the field, holding firm under pressure. He then unlocked Osman Kamara down the wing, whose ball found Nwaneri waiting in the penalty area. A clean turn and finish from the recent first-team debutant levelled the scoreline.

Norwich came dangerously close to taking the lead once again after we were dispossessed in our own half, but Ken Aboh scuffed his shot wide after a one-on-one with our keeper, Alexei Rojas.

We did break the deadlock shortly after, through a wonder strike from Oulad M'Hand. Josh Robinson forged his way down the wing and played it short to Nwaneri, who picked out Oulad M'Hand on the edge of the Norwich box. His exquisitely-weighted strike was too much for the Norwich goalkeeper as it shot into the top right corner.

We spent the duration of the second half in search of a third goal and despite some excellent chances from Kamara, Roberts, and Ferdinand, 2-1 was enough to earn us the win.