Tormey impresses as Arsenal U23s beat Leicester; Matthews helps U18s overcome Southampton

Arsenal U23s secured their place in the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup last night as they beat Leicester City 3-0.

Robbie Burton scored a penalty, while Folarin Balogun also found the net before teeing up James Olayinka.

Nathan Tormey produced an impressive performance out wide, with goalkeeper Karl Hein also catching the eye.

There was a significant moment for first-year scholar Daniel Oyegoke late on, too, as he made his debut at this level.

Leicester finished the game with ten men after Mitchell Clarke was sent off.

Arsenal: Hein; Swanson (Oyegoke 88), Clarke, Medley, Omole; M. Smith, Burton; Olayinka, McEneff (Olowu 75), Tormey (Cottrell 90); Balogun. Subs not used: Hillson, Greenwood.

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Alfie Matthews was amongst the scorers as Arsenal U18s secured their first league win since October by overcoming Southampton 2-0.

Southampton were eager for revenge after Arsenal knocked them out of the FA Youth Cup recently, but Matthews and Luke Plange, who replaced him as a substitute, both scored.

Matthews was linked with a move to Newcastle United this week, but for now remains focused on his performances for Arsenal.

Arsenal: Graczyk; Oyegoke, Kirk, Ogungbo, Lopez; Cottrell, Cirjan (Alebiosu 73); Dennis (Sraha 90), Greenwood, Butler-Oyedeji; Matthews (Plange 64). Subs not used: Kovacevic, Laing.

Talented schoolboy Charlie Patino trains with Arsenal first-team

Talented schoolboy Charlie Patino trained with the Arsenal first-team at London Colney today.

Patino, who is expected to sign scholarship terms in the summer, has established himself as an important part of the U18 side in recent weeks and is widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s best prospects.

Despite still being eligible to play for the U16s, Patino, a midifelder, didn’t travel with that age group for a tournament in Germany today as he is instead being kept for the U18 game away to Southampton tomorrow.

With the U23s in action tonight and a host of players out injured, Mikel Arteta was short of options in training today, with Patino being drafted in.

The youngster, who has an excellent passing range, will certainly benefit immensely from the experience.

Report – Newcastle interested in signing Alfie Matthews from Arsenal

Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing young forward Alfie Matthews from Arsenal this month.

Accoridng to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Newcastle could secure a deal for the 18-year-old, who recently joined a new agency.

Matthews’ scholarship deal expires at the end of this season and he isn’t guaranteed to get a professional contract.

This season Matthews has scored twice in nine appearances for the U18s, while he has also featured in the FA Youth Cup and been named on the bench for the U23s.

Newcastle are also reportedly interested in signing Stan Flaherty, who confirmed his departure from Arsenal yesterday.

Ryan Alebiosu and Matthew Dennis are the other remaining second year scholars at the club.

Stan Flaherty confirms Arsenal departure amid Newcastle links

Second year scholar Stan Flaherty has confirmed that he has left Arsenal after seven years at the club.

It has been clear for some time that Flaherty would leave after the midfielder was told that he wasn’t guaranteed to receive a professional contract.

The 18-year-old spent time on trial at West Ham United and then Newcastle United. It is anticipated that he could join the latter permanently.

Flaherty made 14 appearances for Arsenal U18s, scoring twice, but couldn’t break into the U23 squad.

Report – Olayinka scores and assists; Bola sent off as Arsenal U23s draw 3-3 with Everton

Premier League 2

Everton 3 (Simms 35, 37, 74) Arsenal 3 (Olowu 17, Olayinka 43, M. Smith 78)

Arsenal U23s drew 3-3 away to Everton in an entertaining contest last night and ended the game with ten men following the late dismissal of Tolaji Bola.

Coach Steve Bould was deprived of the services of Harry Clarke, but Zak Swanson returned from injury to start at right-back. First-team goalkeeper Matt Macey also started.

Meanwhile, first-year scholar Daniel Oyegoke was named amongst the substitutes after receiving his first callup at this level.

Everton started well, with Kyle John having a chance to score, but he was unable to find the net.

It was Arsenal who took the lead in the 17th minute, with Joseph Olowu getting his first ever goal at this level as he sent a header beyond the reach of his former team-mate Joao Virginia.

Everton pulled level ten minutes before half-time, with Ellis Sims finding the net.

Simms then scored again just two minutes later, but it was then 2-2 as Zech Medley did well to find James Olayinka, who finished impressively.

Arsenal made an alteration at the break, with Tobi Omole replacing Olowu.

Olayinka missed a chance to make it 3-2 after half time as he shot over and then Lewis Gibson headed in to put Everton in the ascendancy.

However, Arsenal then levelled as Olayinka found Matt Smith, who scored.

There was further drama to come, with Bola dismissed after a rash challenge on Beni Baningime, but Arsenal held on to take a point.

Arsenal: Macey; Swanson, Olowu (Omole, 46), Medley, Bola; M. Smith, Burton; Olayinka, McEneff, Tormey; Balogun.

Subs not used: Hillson, Cottrell, Oyegoke

Loan report – John-Jules makes senior debut in Lincoln draw; Mkhitaryan injured again

Tyreece John-Jules made the first appearance of his senior career as he played 65 minutes for Lincoln City in their 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury Town.

Ben Sheaf played the entire game as Doncaster Rovers beat Bristol Rovers 2-0.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed out through injury as Roma took on Juventus.

Injury ruled William Saliba out of Saint-Etienne’s 2-0 defeat to Nantes.

Emile Smith Rowe wasn’t registered in time to feature in Huddersfield Town’s 2-1 loss to Barnsley.

Mohamed Elneny wasn’t involved in Besiktas’ 2-2 friendly draw against Altinordu.

Jordi Osei-Tutu’s VfL Bochum weren’t in action this weekend.

Arsenal’s Deyan Iliev likely to join Jagiellonia Bialystok on loan after Sered spell is cut short

Arsenal goalkeeper Deyan Iliev is set to join Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok on loan for the rest of the season.

Iliev was on a season-long loan at Slovakian side Sered, but that spell was cut short and the 24-year-old could now be given the chance to test himself in a more competitive division.

In the first half of the campaign, Iliev, who has made the bench for North Macedonia at senior level, featured 18 times for Sered and conceded 26 goals, keeping just three clean sheets.

In recent weeks Iliev has been training with Arsenal at London Colney but he will now head out on loan again. He had offers from several League One clubs wanting to take him on loan but rejected them.

Iliev was on the bench for Arsenal’s Europa League final defeat to Chelsea last season but has yet to play a competitive game for the first-team.

Meanwhile, Konstantinos Mavropanos is set to join German side Nuremberg on loan for the rest of the season.