U18 Premier League

Arsenal 3 Tottenham Hotspur 3

This was Frans De Kat’s final game in charge of Arsenal U18s before he takes up a position with the Dutch FA, and what unfolded really couldn’t have been a more accurate representation of his tenure as a whole.

Arsenal were hugely impressive going forwards, with forward Edward Nketiah scoring a hat-trick to take his tally for the campaign to 24 goals at this level, but the young Gunners struggled in a defensive sense, with Jordi Osei-Tutu and Kristopher Da Graca both scoring own goals, which, in addition to a Aramdie Oteh strike, ensured that the game finished 3-3.

This was chaotic, breathless stuff, but when the dust settles this campaign will be remembered primarily for the brilliance of Nketiah, who, it appears, will end the season top of the scoring charts in the U18 Premier League.

The forward put Arsenal into the lead on this occasion with an astute finish, but it wasn’t long before Tottenham equalised when Osei-Tutu, who has endured a difficult first season at the club, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Arsenal seized control thereafter, with Nketiah scoring twice from difficult angles to put De Kat’s side in the ascendancy.

For a while it seemed that Arsenal would cruise to victory, but Tottenham didn’t give up easily and reduced the deficit through Oteh before Da Graca, on his final appearance at this level, scored an own goal with just eight minutes remaining.

The game finished 3-3, and the season is now over for Arsenal U18s, with the focus switching to the U21s’ attempts to secure qualification for the top tier via the play-offs.