SUMMARY
Arsenal Under-18s kept their unbeaten run well and truly intact with a confident 3-0 victory over Southampton.
Eddie Nketiah has proved a familiar name on the scoresheet so far this season, and he was at it again within 22 minutes, latching on to a Joseph Olowu pass before burying an effort inside the far post.
Vlad Dragomir added a goal of his own in the second half, picking up a pass from Jordi Osei-Tutu before drifting inside and slamming a fierce left footed drive in to the top left corner.
The scoring was completed 17 minutes from time when Josh Benson and Donyell Malen combined to devastating effect, with the Dutch forward stroking home the third goal to ensure the Gunners remain at the top of the table.
FIRST HALF
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, who could have stormed into an early lead but Joao Virginia was at his best to deny Tyreke Johnson's low shot.
Emile Smith-Rowe was first to truly threaten for the Gunners, powering an effort at goal which required a strong hand from Saints goalkeeper Adam Parkes.
When Olowu’s pinpoint forward pass found Nketiah, the game had its first goal, with the prolific youngster spinning away from his marker before leaving Parkes helpless with a fine finish.
SECOND HALF
The Gunners started the second half by looking to extend their lead, and their efforts yielded success after just eight minutes when Dragomir arrowed a ball into the top left corner from 25 yards.
Arsenal captain Josh Dasilva went close to adding another soon after, but saw his shot deflect over after an easy-on-the-eye passing move.
The game’s final goal came when Benson seized on a loose ball and charged forward from midfield and played an inch-perfect pass that left Malen just needing to apply the finishing touch.
Kwame Ampadu’s side held on to their clean sheet and remain the only unbteaen side in the league after the opening four games of the season.
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