Our young Gunners secured a hard-fought victory on the road with a narrow 1–0 win over West Brom, thanks to an early moment of quality from Maalik Hashi that ultimately proved decisive.
WHAT HAPPENED
We made the perfect start, taking the lead inside four minutes. Hashi stepped up to deliver a superb free-kick, curling his effort into the top corner to give us an early advantage.
West Brom responded well and nearly found an equaliser on the break, as Reece Bastafield raced through one-on-one, but he dragged his effort wide of the post.
We continued to threaten in attack and had opportunities to extend our lead. Kyran Thompson was at the heart of our creativity, first linking up with Louis Zecevic-John, whose clever backheel was well saved by the goalkeeper. Thompson then turned provider again, lifting a delicate pass to Mishel Nduka, but his volley flew wide.
The hosts increased the pressure after the break, but Remi Lupinski stood firm in goal. Cole Dexter saw an effort from close range saved, and Lupinski reacted quickly to deny Harry French on the rebound with an excellent stop.
We had a chance to put the game beyond doubt when Hashi released Brando Bailey-Joseph on the overlap. He picked out Zecevic-John in the box, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
Despite late pressure from the hosts, we held on to secure all three points.
WHAT IT MEANS
The win moves our under-18s onto 24 points from 19 league games this season.
WHAT’S NEXT
Our under-18s continue their league campaign at home to Fulham on Saturday, March 21.
Kick-off at Sobha Realty Training Centre is scheduled for 11am (UK time).
TEAM NEWS
West Brom XI: Moses, Gompe, Asomugha, Shaw, Bastafield(Briscoe, 60) Perkins, Amihere, Round, French (Sankoh, 60), Dexter (Okorodudu, 60) , Francis-Caesar (Seven-Seven, 72)
Arsenal XI: Lupinski, Pedro, Murisa, Stachow, Mbala, Bailey-Joseph (B.Phillips, 73) Hashi, Nwaneri (Marciniak, 55), Nduka (Owusu-Gyasi, 55), Thompson (Sampang, 55), Zecevic-John
Subs unused: C.Phillips.
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