U18 Premier League

Fulham 0 Arsenal 3 (Daley-Campbell 77, Balogun 80, Coyle 90)

By Jeorge Bird @ Motspur Park

Winning titles isn’t the most important aspect of academy football, with development clearly taking precedence, but when a team does prevail it certainly speaks volumes for the vast array of talent in the academy.

That is the case with Arsenal U18s, who were crowned champions of the southern section today with a 3-0 victory away to Fulham which was considerably more difficult to obtain than the scoreline might suggest.

Arsenal knew that if they bettered Tottenham Hotspur’s result against Leicester then they would win the title, and they eventually managed to prevail with Vontae Daley-Campbell, Folarin Balogun (unsurprisingly) and Trae Coyle all getting on the scoresheet.

The young Gunners have now won the league at this level for the first time in nine years, while there is the possibility of further glory ahead as they will now take on the yet to be determined winners of the northern section in the overall final.

Arsenal elected not to field their strongest possible side, with Bukayo Saka, Tyreece John-Jules and Xavier Amaechi having featured for the U23s last night.

Instead, coach Ken Gillard stuck with his usual starting lineup, with schoolboy Miguel Azeez deployed in central midfield.

T. Smith

Daley Campbell-McGuinness-Clarke-Swanson

M. Smith-Azeez

Greenwood-Cottrell-Coyle

Balogun

Subs: Musah (for Azeez, 70), Flaherty (for Cottrell, 90). Not used: Graczyk, Matthews, Ogungbo.

Fulham, who possess an impressive academy setup themselves, were determined to spoil the party, and they frustrated Arsenal in the early stages with some diligent defending.

Balogun, who has been outstanding all season, was determined to open the scoring but he squandered a couple of opportunities and then at the other end Arsenal goalkeeper Tom Smith had to be alert to make an excellent save.

Trae Coyle then had a couple of efforts before Sam Greenwood dragged an effort wide as Arsenal started to up the intensity.

Overall, though, it was a rather laboured first half from Arsenal, who were perhaps a little tired following their involvement in the Dallas Cup.

They received a let off when Fulham missed an inviting opportunity to score just before half-time, and it truth Gillard’s team were perhaps fortunate not to be a goal down at the interval.

News filtered through at Motspur Park that Tottenham had taken the lead against Leicester, which, at that stage, had them on course to win the title.

All Arsenal could do, though, is focus on their own task, and they emerged for the second period with renewed vigour, determined to take the game to Fulham.

Ben Cottrell, who has produced some hugely encouraging displays this campaign, had a shot saved, and then, in a flurry of chances, Harry Clarke, Balogun, Greenwood and Matt Smith were all unable to find the net.

Azeez was the next to try his luck but the midfielder shot wide from a difficult angle when Balogun wanted the ball to be played to him in front of goal.

Greenwood sent a free-kick wide and then at the other end Arsenal somehow managed to escape without conceding when Mark McGuinness was penalised for a backpass.

Fulham were awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty area and, with virtually the whole Arsenal team almost on the goal-line, the visitors prevented their opponents from scoring.

At one stage it seemed as if Arsenal might never get the goal they needed but eventually they did and it came from a very unlikely source.

Daley-Campbell had scored just one goal for the U18s prior to today but the right-back was in the right place to steer the ball home in the 77th minute and score what proved to be a very important goal. If he does end up leaving this summer then what a parting gift this will be.

Arsenal brought on Yunus Musah for Azeez and then effectively secured victory, with Balogun getting on the scoresheet again with a fine finish.

Gillard’s team wanted even more goals and they added another late on through Trae Coyle, who expertly curled the ball into the back of the net.

There was one negative in the closing stages as Cottrell hobbled off injured and was later seen on crutches, meaning he could miss the final.

However, that didn’t deter Arsenal from seeing out the victory and securing the title, which was claimed following nine wins in their last nine games, with 44 goals having been scored in that period.

There was no trophy on show, but the players celebrated and can certainly be very proud of their efforts.

It is true that Arsenal have often fielded a very experienced team at U18 level this season, largely comprised of second-years.

However, they still deserve much credit for the performances that they have produced, and the defence have been excellent, with McGuinness and Clarke forging a formidable partnership at the heart of the defence, while Daley-Campbell has excelled at right-back and Zak Swanson has filled in well on the other side. Goalkeeper Tom Smith, too, has performed some heroics in recent games.

In midfield Matt Smith’s probing passes have been behind many of Arsenal’s goals this season, while Cottrell has surpassed expectations with some lively performances.

Greenwood has adapted seamlessly following his switch from Sunderland, while Coyle has shown glimpses of the quality that made him such a standout prospect when he was a schoolboy.

Balogun is certainly the star performer from this campaign, with the striker having scored a remarkable 25 goals in 19 appearances.

There is still a very long way to go for these players in terms of their future careers as they look to eventually make the grade, whether at Arsenal or elsewhere, but this success represents a major step in the right direction.