Arsenal U18s endured a horrendous start to the season, with Carl Laraman’s side failing to win a single game between September and January.
Since the turn of the year, however, they have fared rather better, with last weekend’s win away to West Bromwich Albion taking their recent record to three victories in four games.
The 2-1 win in the Midlands was secured courtesy of goals by two players who, despite being schoolboys, have already been involved at higher levels this campaign. George Dobson, who can play at centre-back or as a defensive-midfielder, opened the scoring, with the youngster having recently featured in the FA Youth Cup as a late substitute against Charlton Athletic, as well as making the bench in the UEFA Youth League.
The other goalscorer was Chris Willock, an England youth international who trained with the first-team on two occasions in January. A slight but highly technical winger who can also operate as an advanced midfielder, Willock has now amassed ten appearances for the U18s so far this season.
Another positive to emerge from the win over West Brom was the performance of Alex Iwobi, a versatile attacker who has made more appearances for the club’s development sides than any other player so far this season. It wasn’t the first time Iwobi had been involved against West Brom away this campaign, with the youngster having made the bench for the first-team’s Capital One Cup victory at The Hawthorns in September.
Although he is some way from breaking into the senior side, Iwobi has developed well this season, making wiser decisions regarding when to shoot or pass, whilst building upon his core attributes of speed and technical wizardry.
Arsenal included five schoolboys on the bench as they looked to give chances to impress to next year’s scholarship intake. Striker Kaylen Hinds almost scored after being introduced as a second-half substitute, with Tyrell Robinson and Olufela Olomola, the latter having recently returned from injury, also featuring.
The U18s face West Ham United at London Colney on Saturday morning, but attention is already beginning to turn to Monday’s FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final against Everton at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will field their strongest available side, meaning Gedion Zelalem and Chuba Akpom are likely to feature, with the latter eligible to be temporarily recalled under the terms of his youth loan at Coventry City.
Akpom has settled in well at the League One club, with the England U19 international setting up his side’s opening goal in the 2-1 win over Walsall last night. Having already gained experience in the same division with Brentford earlier this season, the 18 year old looks primed to return to Arsenal next season with his all-round game having developed considerably.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Cheers Jeorge
As always, good updates. Had a chance to watch Akpom have a cameo off the bench for Brentford a few weeks back, looked neat and tidy. Hopefully he keeps on doing well at Coventry, they’ve got their best striker back for him to play with which should benefit him.
Honest question (sorry if it sounds dumb) but what do you mean by “slight but highly technical” when describing Chris Willock?
It means he is short in stature but has mad skills
Think Leo Messi as a comparable
He is not that short. I think he “slight” as kind of skinny, like Zelalem id say..but Gedion is taller
I must be getting old as the kid in the picture look about 10 to me.
Good grief … these kids are younger than my kids, and look what they’re doing!