U18 Premier League

Arsenal 4 (Daley-Campbell 24, Balogun 52, 77, John-Jules 69) Reading 0

Folarin Balogun scored twice as Arsenal U18s returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 4-0 victory at home to Reading today.

Having surrendered a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 against Manchester United in the U18 Premier League Cup last week, Arsenal were determined to bounce back today and they did so despite being deprived of several important members of their side.

Zech Medley, Joseph Olowu and Emile Smith Rowe, perhaps with Monday’s U23 game against Everton in mind, were all not involved, while Daniel Ballard joined a lengthy injury list that also includes Nathan Tormey, Jay Beckford, Xavier Amaechi, Daniel Barden, Jordan McEneff and Mark McGuinness.

Harrison Clarke and Tobi Omole formed an unlikely centre-back pairing, withTyreece John-Jules and Matthew Smith also coming into the starting line-up.

Arsenal’s resources were so depleted that they only named three substitutes, including schoolboy goalkeeper Tom Smith, who received his first call-up at this level.

Virginia

Daley Campbell-Clarke-Omole-Thompson

Benson-M. Smith

Saka-John Jules-Olayinka

Balogun

Subs: Swanson (for Saka, 80), Spencer-Adams (for Daley-Campbell, 80). Not used: T. Smith.

After a quiet opening the game sprung into life in the 24th minute and it was certainly worth the wait as right-back Vontae Daley-Campbell found the net with an impressive strike from distance after being found by Dominic Thompson.

Arsenal doubled their advantage soon after the break with the clinical Balogun scoring after latching onto Tyreece John-Jules’ pass.

John-Jules then opened his account for the season with a neat strike following good work from Bukayo Saka before Arsenal sealed their win in the 77th minute as a shot deflected in off Balogun.

There was then time for first-year scholars Zak Swanson and Bayli Spencer-Adams to be brought on for their first appearances for the U18s.

Info from AFCFixtureNews