Post-Match Report

U18s Report: Fulham 1-1 Arsenal

Rosiak in action for Arsenal U18 against Fulham

Fulham U18 -

Motspur Park
U18 Premier League South
U18 Premier League South
  Fulham U18
   crest
Fulham U18
1 - 1
  Arsenal U18
   crest
Arsenal U18

WHAT HAPPENED

We picked up our first point of the Under-18 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon, battling out a 1-1 draw with Fulham away from home.

Jack Wilshere took his place in the dugout for the second time as head coach and watched on as we made an assured start, dominating possession in the opening exchanges, with Bradley Ibrahim at the heart of things.

However, it was the hosts that would edge themselves in front against the run of play, Alexei Rojas giving away a penalty after colliding with a Fulham player while trying to clear a ball into the box.

Delano-McCoy Splatt step up from the spot and sent the Colombian the wrong way, much to the frustration of our young Gunners.

Much like last weekend against Chelsea, the goal didn't deter us and we were rewarded with an instant equaliser, Ethan Nwaneri crossing high to the back post where Omari Benjamin was on hand to beat his man and tap home into the bottom corner.

Wilshere gave his side the clear objective to 'kill them with possession at the break, and that's exactly what we did, dominating the ball and restricting Fulham to very few opportunities, thanks to our well-coordinated press.

Sebastian Ferdinand and Nwaneri continued to pose a threat to Fulham after the interval, stretching them with width and almost finding for Benjamin to double his tally on several occasions.

Maldini Kacurri, returning to his former club, produced an outstanding defensive performance alongside Tino Quamina at the heart of our backline to frustrate the host's forwards throughout the afternoon.

Rojas more than made up for his first-half error with an astonishing double save minutes from full-time to ensure we left Fulham with a deserved point.

Photo credit: Pedro Soares

WHAT'S NEXT

Next up for us, it's the small matter of the north London derby.

We host Tottenham Hotspur at London Colney on Saturday, August 27.

Kick-off is at 11am (UK time).

TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Rojas; Rosiak, Kacurri, Quamina, Quesada-Thorn, Ismail Oulad M’Hand Dudziak, Ibrahim; Ferdinand, Nwaneri, Benjamin.

Substitutes: Cooper, Nichols, Brown, Gower, Green.