U18 Premier League- Game 9

Arsenal 1 (Mavididi) Reading 2



Arsenal U18s are still searching for their first win since the opening day of the season after suffering a late defeat at home to Reading today.

Arsenal took the lead courtesy of a first-half strike by Stephy Mavididi and looked to be heading towards victory until the visitors struck twice late on.

Coach Carl Laraman made four changes from the side that lost to Aston Villa last time out, the most notable of which saw Julio Pleguzuelo make his first official appearance in an Arsenal shirt. The centre-back, who was signed from Barcelona in the summer, captained the side, whilst Alfred Mugabo made a welcome return from injury and Kaylen Hinds returned to the fold following his exertions with England U16s. The final alteration saw trialist Matthew Macey replace Ryan Huddart in goal. Arsenal hope to complete the signing of the Bristol Rovers shot-stopper in the near future.

Macey

Siemann-Wright-Pleguezuelo-Uade

Smith-Mugabo

Dawkins-Hinds-Raage

Mavididi

subs: Addai, Willock, Bola, Robinson, Olomola.

Reading created the better chances in the first 45 minutes, but it was Arsenal who went into the break happiest courtesy of Mavididi’s strike. The forward scored his first goal at this level against Villa when he diverted Renny Smith’s shot into the net, but this goal could be defined definitively as his.

Laraman’s side looked to have done just enough to secure victory, but Reading struck twice in the closing stages to leave Arsenal shellshocked.

Via @DeanAFC1989