By Connor Armstrong
SUMMARY
Arsenal Under-18s had to settle for a point against West Ham on Saturday after Eddie Nketiah’s opener was cancelled out by a late equaliser.
The prolific forward put the Gunners in front when his run was spotted by a perfectly-angled pass, with the frontman tucking the ball inside the far post.
West Ham threatened to haul themselves level when Jake Eggleton rattled the crossbar from close range, before a goalmouth scramble that ended with Joao Virginia being bundled into the back of the net.
That proved to be a warning, with the Hammers levelling late on when Malyk Hamilton turned the ball home at the far post after being spotted by Korrey Henry.
SETTING THE SCENE
Virginia started in goal for Kwame Ampadu’s side, with Joseph Olowu and Kostas Pileas lining up as the two centre backs.
Marcus McGuane captained the side and started in midfield, where he was joined by Josh Dasilva.
Nketiah led the line for Arsenal once again, as he looked to continue his fine scoring form.
FIRST HALF
Nketiah went close early on when he latched on to an angled pass before firing into the body of Hammers goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics.
Virginia then had to be alert to tip a corner over his own crossbar.
The Gunners made the breakthrough when a quick counter-attack, ended with Nketiah impudently chipping the ball inside the far post.
SECOND HALF
Dasilva fired wide in the early stages of the second period with a drive from long range, as Arsenal looked to extend their advantage.
After charging upfield, Eggleton then found himself inside the six-yard box, and thumped an effort against the crossbar as the hosts looked for a way back into the game.
The equaliser eventually came four minutes from time, when a long ball was seized upon by Henry, who squared for Hamilton to poke home inside the far post to snatch a point.
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