Post-Match Report

Arsenal U18 v Reading U18

Reading U18 -

Sobha Realty Training Centre
Premier League U18
Premier League U18
  Arsenal U18
      
                  Stephy Mavididi (15, 85 pen)
            
   crest
Arsenal U18
Stephy Mavididi (15, 85 pen)
2 - 2
  Reading U18
      
              Sam Smith (20 pen)
               Andrija Novakovich (30)
          
   crest
Reading U18
Sam Smith (20 pen) Andrija Novakovich (30)

Arsenal Under-18s came from a goal behind to draw 2-2 with Reading on Saturday.

Stephy Mavididi put the young Gunners ahead with his eighth goal of the season, latching onto Marc Bola’s near-post cross, but they were soon pegged back when Tolanji Bola tripped Sam Smith in the box.

The Reading striker coolly dispatched his penalty to level in the first half before Andrija Novakovich’s deflected shot beat Ryan Huddart from 18 yards.

Tyrell Robinson then hit the crossbar after Arsenal broke quickly from the Royals’ corner, and George Dobson found the same result from a short corner just after the break.

Reading were just about holding onto their lead and it was only a matter of time before they gave into Arsenal’s high-pressing tactic.

Josh Da Silva pounced on a defensive error and was brought down in the area, gifting Mavididi a second, equalising in the 85th minute.

Chris Willock was so close to securing all three points for the young Gunners but his curling effort crashed off the bar with seconds to go.