Our under-16 side have lifted the 2024/25 Premier League Cup for the first time after beating Chelsea in the final 3-1.
Played at the west Londoners' Kingsmeadow home, both teams came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Chelsea winger Ryan Kavumba-McQueen hit the woodwork either side of our forward Kyran Thompson doing the same, but we snatched the lead seconds before half-time when Josh Tahou set up Thompson to score from close-range.
Then on the hour mark, a fine pass from Maalik Hashi allowed Josiah King to escape behind the Blues' backline and he showed good composure to finish past keeper Isaac Collinson to make it 2-0 and give us breathing room.
And the silverware was wrapped up 10 minutes from time in style when Marley Frohock added a third from range to start the celebrations, and while Jeremiah Berkely-Agyepong pulled one back for the hosts deep into second-half stoppage time, our Young Gunners saw out the final stages to win the competition.
The run to the final saw us top a challenging group that included Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City, and Michael Donaldson's side produced a standout performance in the quarter-finals by winning 3-1 away at Manchester City with Hashi netting a brace and Saurap Sampang adding another.
They followed that up with a dominant 4-0 semi-final victory over Blackburn Rovers at home, where Brando Bailey-Joseph and Thompson each scored twice.
"The boys have worked exceptionally hard this season," said Donaldson. "They’ve been brave, they’ve challenged themselves, and many of them have had the opportunity to train and play with the higher age groups, even the first-team. That alone is something to celebrate as it shows our academy is constantly pushing our players with an open door of healthy competition.
"To go on and win the Premier League Cup is something truly special. It’s a credit to who they are as players and people. They’ve stuck together, pushed each other, and really lived our values. We’re all incredibly proud of them.
"This team’s success is about more than just a trophy — it’s about player development, belief, and what’s possible when a Hale End group comes together with the right attitude and ambition. It’s a win that everyone at the club can celebrate, and one these players will carry with them for a long time."
Arsenal: Talbot, Owusu-Gyasi, Tahou, Salmon, Stachow, Murisa, King, Sampang, Thompson, Hashi, Bailey-Joseph
Subs: B. Phillips, C. Phillips, Frohock, Mbala, Meron
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