There was more than one Arsenal side that prevailed against their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts this week as, several hours before the clubs did battle at senior level at White Hart Lane, Arsenal defeated their North London rivals at U18 level with a 5-3 victory.
The scoreline alone, though, doesn’t begin to tell the tale of what was an enthralling encounter at London Colney. Arsenal, who have struggled defensively at this level in recent times, found themselves two goals down in the early stages, but pulled a goal back through summer arrival Yassin Fortune.
Tottenham proceeded to make it 3-1, but again Arsenal refused to give in, with schoolboy Reiss Nelson scoring from the penalty spot.
Frans De Kat’s side seized the initiative in the second period, with Tyrell Robinson hitting a well-taken brace before the in-form Edward Nketiah added further gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages.
That victory enabled the youngsters to bounce back after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat in another London derby away to Fulham just days earlier. On that occasion Arsenal started in the ascendancy, but Fulham soon seized control and, despite Marcus Agyei-Tabi finding the net from the penalty spot, the young Gunners fell to defeat at Motspur Park.
The success over Tottenham, though, will inevitably have boosted the confidence of the entire squad. There is no U18 league fixture this weekend, providing the young prospects with plenty of time to prepare for the UEFA Youth League fixture at home to Olympiacos on Tuesday.
Having impressed in dispatching of Dinamo Zagreb in their opening group stage fixture, hopes are high for the youngsters to enjoy a lengthy run in the competition this season, although it should be taken into consideration that they still have to face the mighty force of Bayern Munich both home and away.
With several more experienced players available, such as Alex Iwobi, who was on the bench for the first-team this week, Arsenal are capable of fielding a very strong side at this level, even in the absence of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who has been ruled out for around two months after suffering an injury in the recent U21 game against Newcastle United.
The second-string, incidentally, are back in action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight as they seek to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season. Steve Gatting’s side have been scintillating in an attacking sense and will be hopeful of continuing their good form.
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I’m abit high @joergebird, to be understood since its Friday and more importantly i’m a gooner so im gonna wish the young lads all the best. That drives me to Gnabry, seems he isn’t getting good minutes?. Sad, shoulda joined championship side?
what a comeback! robinson’s second was a laser
Common you young gunners you!!…thats the way to do it!….well done!…if you have to lose to any team?.. It musnt be sp*#s….thats the arsenal way!
Get the young boys on as soon as poss , if we’re up in a game and killed it off then get them on , makes sense to me lol
I will like to see monreal and kos at central den bellerin and Gibbs .Ramsey santi ozil Walcott Alexis giroud
Jeez thats a dogs dinner of a team
Down 2 goals early, went on to score 5…didn’t this game happen a few years ago?