Chelsea 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal’s under-18s hopes of securing a play-off place took a turn for the worse yesterday morning as they were defeated by Chelsea at Cobham.

   Chelsea’s side had been action just two days earlier when they defeated Aston Villa in the semi-final second leg of the FA Youth Cup, and named a relatively inexperienced side for this fixture. Arsenal were also playing their second game in three days, having beaten Portsmouth 2-0 in the reserves on Wednesday night. Several players who had featured in that game were in action again, and their fatigue was on show for all to see.

  It was the home side who were the quickest out of the traps. Nouble attacked Blackwood and the Arsenal defender failed to keep up with him. Thankfully there was nobody there to meet the cross. Arsenal were desperate to respond and Dunne launched a long ball forward towards Rhys Murphy, who was offside. It looked as if Arsenal were gradually beginning to get into the game, but then Chelsea hit on the counter attack.

     Nouble ran at Blackwood once more and skipped past him with ease, before crossing for the unmarked Phillips to volley home. Arsenal ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny was particulary frustrated at his defenders who failed to pick the Chelsea goalscorer up. Phillips had scored against Aston Villa in the aforementioned FA Youth Cup tie just two days earlier and here he was on the scoresheet again.

   Arsenal were determined not to let the game slip away from them, and set out in search of an equaliser. Chelsea had goalkeeper Heinemann to thank for keeping them in front as he produced stunning saves to deny first Murphy who hit a low, curling shot in his direction, and then Jay Thomas who hit an effort from eight yards out.

  The Gunners continued to press forward, but Chelsea held on to go in to the break one goal to the good.

Half time- Chelsea 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal tried to respond in the second half, but it never looked like it was actually going to happen. Chelsea had a lot of possession and created several opportunities which kept Wojciech Szczesny on his toes. Arsenal were missing the likes of Luke Freeman, Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere because of international commitments and their absence certainly showed. Arsenal were lacking any bite in midfield, and Chelsea outmuscled them on several occasions.

      There was still time for Rui Fonte to come close with a strike, but once again Heinemann was equal to it. Arsenal did have a few more chances, with substitutes Luke Ayling and Conor Henderson both coming close. Rhys Murphy was denied again and Barazite fired in a couple of shots, but seemed isolated out on the left.

       Chelsea held on for victory and ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run. The Gunners are back at home next week when they face Cardiff City in a must-win game. Before that, the Reserves entertain Chelsea on Tuesday in what should be a testing fixture for Neil Banfield’s side.

Full time- Chelsea 1 Arsenal 0

Teams:

Chelsea: Heinmann. Taiwo, Cummings, Saville, Tabor, Hibbert, Philliskirk, Fernandes, Ahmed, Philip, Nouble.

Subs used: Ofouri-Twumasi, Sawyer, Nielsen.

Goal: Philip (16)

Arsenal: Szczesny, Blackwood, Hoyte, Thomas, Evina, Rasmussen, Dunne, Eastmond, Barazite, Murphy, Fonte.

Subs used: Ayling, Henderson