Post-Match Report

U18s report: Arsenal 4-3 Norwich City

Jack Wilshere with Arsenal U18s

Norwich City U18 -

Arsenal Training Centre, London Col
U18 Premier League South
U18 Premier League South
  Arsenal U18
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Arsenal U18
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  Norwich City U18
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Norwich City U18

WHAT HAPPENED

We completed an impressive second-half comeback to claim all three points against Norwich City at London Colney on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Wilshere's side started the quicker in what was our first Under-18 Premier League match of the new year and took the lead inside 10 minutes through Omari Benjamin - Ismail Oulad M'Hand laying the ball up for our forward to finish well on the volley.

Ethan Nwaneri and Seb Ferdinand both came close to adding a second, but it was the visitors that drew level against the run of play midway through the half, Elliot Myles capitalising on an error from Brian Okonkwo to score from close range.

Norwich went ahead moments later, Pedro Amadou taking advantage of another mishap at the back, this time pouncing on a loose pass from Elian Quesada-Thorn to ensure the away side went into the break with the lead.

Wilshere's side took the game to the visitors after the restart and restored parity just five minutes into the half, Jimi Gower continuing the good form he displayed prior to the winter break to find the bottom corner after good work from Sebastian Ferdinand.

We continued to push for a third goal of the afternoon and saw a strong penalty appeal waved away by the referee after Benjamin was brought down following a jinxing run into the box.

Michael Reindorf gave the Canaries the lead for the first time in the match with just over 10 minutes remaining, sparking what would be a remarkable turnaround from our young Gunners in the closing stages.

First, captain Luis Brown rose highest at the back post to rattle home his header to level proceedings, before Oulad M'Hand completed the comeback less than two minutes later and secured all three points for us at London Colney - his stunning strike into the top corner raising everywhere off their seats on the home bench.

WHAT IT MEANS

We move up to sixth place in the Under-18 Premier League table, leapfrogging today's opponents, Norwich City, on goal difference after 10 matches played.

 

WHAT'S NEXT

Wilshere now has 10 days to work with his side before we're back in action, as we travel to face Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

The tie will take place on Tuesday, January 17, with a 7pm (UK time) kick-off at Whitley Park.

TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Okonkwo, Rosiak, Brown, Quamina, Quesada-Thorn, Oulad M’Hand, Gower, Ferdinand, Nwaneri, Roberts, Benjamin

Substitutes: Ranson, Nichols, Dudziak, Kamara, Green

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