Arsenal U18s return to winning ways with Addicks demolition

Arsenal under-18s ended a three game winless streak with an impressive 6-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at London Colney this morning.

Having picked up just one point from a possible nine in their past three fixtures, the visit of the side who sit rooted to the bottom of Premier Academy League Group A was an ideal opportunity for Steve Bould’s side to get back on track as they bid to retain the trophy they won last season.

James Dunn kept his place in goal with both James Shea and Sean McDermott still sidelined, whilst a defensive re-shuffle saw Rhema Obed shift to right-back to compensate the return of Daniel Boateng from suspension. Ignasi Miquel partnered him at the back with George Brislen-Hall starting only his second game of the season after Cedric Evina cemented his position as the Reserves’ first choice left-back. Benik Afobe returned up front with Jernade Meade dropping to the substitutes bench, where  he was joined by Emmanuel Frimpong and Sam Byles.

Dunn

Obed-Boateng-Miquel-Brislen-Hall

Yennaris-Henderson

Deacon-Aneke-Freeman

Afobe

subs: Frimpong, Meade, Byles

Arsenal began at blistering speed and opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock via Roarie Deacon. Luke Freeman then doubled the advantage ten minutes later before hitting another before the interval to take his tally for the season to nine.

The Gunners hit a further three goals in the second period, with Deacon making it four just after the restart and Conor Henderson scoring his second goal in as many games for number five. The rout was completed five minutes from time when Nico Yennaris capped off an eventful week with his first goal at this level.

Arsenal now face successive trips to the South Coast to take on Portsmouth and Southampton.