U18 Premier League- Development Group 2
Arsenal 1 (Maitland-Niles) Middlesbrough 1
Arsenal U18s have endured a rather topsy-turvy campaign to date owing largely to a series of managerial and personnel changes, but their latest coach Carl Laraman has been able to field a somewhat consistent side in recent weeks and they continued their development apace with a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at London Colney on Saturday.
Iliev
Moore-Mugabo-Dobson-Ormonde Ottewill
Jebb-Kamara
Dawkins-Iwobi-Maitland Niles
Lipman
subs: Brown, O’Connor, Hinds. Not used: Vickers.
Having initially struggled against a visiting side keen to pass the ball as swiftly as possible, Arsenal soon began to assert control on proceedings, but squandered numerous opportunities before eventually taking the lead through Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the second-half. The schoolboy winger, who has impressed of late, showed good composure to battle his way past several Middlesbrough players before opening the scoring with a fine finish. The lead lasted just two minutes, though, with Middlesbrough levelling with a volleyed effort following poor Arsenal defending.
Like Maitland-Niles on the other flank, Tarum Dawkins continues to impress with his driving runs at the opposition defence and it seems only a matter of time before the former Luton Town winger will develop the composure in front of goal to match his approach play. Jack Jebb, meanwhile, came perilously close with a free-kick, whilst Austin Lipman, operating in the lone centre forward role, squandered a couple of opportunities.
Alex Iwobi, previously deployed on the wing, is continuing to develop in his new role behind the main striker and has learned to channel his passes more effectively so that they are easier for players to run on to. Schoolboy George Dobson continues to look assured at centre-back, although Tafari Moore, who started the game at right-back before switching to the opposite flank, was beaten on a couple of occasions.
Goalkeeper Deyan Iliev, who was on the bench for the U21s at West Ham United just a day previously, made two impressive saves, although, like many of Arsenal’s goalkeepers, does appear to be fond of pushing the ball back out rather than holding onto it, which can prove costly in some situations.
Promising midfielder Gedion Zelalem is still awaiting authorisation from FIFA to enable him to play for the club, whilst Jon Toral, Arinse Uade, Tom Dallison, Zach Fagan and Leander Siemann are all sidelined.
The U18s have registered just one victory from seven fixtures in 2013, and have five games remaining before the end of the campaign, starting with a trip to face Blackburn Rovers in nine days’ time.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
Jeorge, are all the remaining U21games being played at Barnet?
And if not, could you tell me which ones are scheduled to be played there.
Thanks.
yes, all the remaining home ones are, starting with man utd tomorrow.
Clearly, Wrenny is being sarcastic. You’ll still get thumbs down because most people won’t get it…
I thought I made it pretty obvious! Some people eh?
Better U18’s performance than of late, with a few boys stepping up to cover the cracks of recent weeks. Jebb was assertive in midfield and unlucky not to score. Even though Dobson is an U16’s, he looked composed and seems to read the game well, even though he sometimes lacks the pace of older boys he is playing with. And Niles catches the eye with his trickery, he creates chances but tends to try hold onto the ball for too long, ended up losing possession when a pass should have been made – but still a one to watch.
But two things really stick out in my mind.
The U18’s do have some talented and creative footballers who will probably make step up to the U21’s or become professionals elsewhere…
However, the U18’s really do not play well together as a ‘team’ at the moment. IMO, this isn’t the fault of the players, more about how the team has been set up and how they’ve been told to play tactically. This really isn’t working. At the moment, Arsenal U18’s play as talented ‘individuals’ and not as a tactically focused unit, a ‘team’… and this has to come down the coaching staff and the seemingly inexperience of Laraman at the U18’s level to develop this part of their/the play. Individual, personal ‘player development’ is a poor excuse for not playing as a team. Developing real team structures and team patterns of play, plus the important collective ‘winning mentality’ that IS vital for any players professional development as much as their own personal development. The U18’s ‘are’ at the level where this IS important, what with the leagues they are in, the NextGen opportunities and the serious stuff of the U21’s as their next aspiring step.
With Brady moving on next season, I hope that some decisions are made and more experienced/ex-Arsenal players are recruited to take over the development of the boys from the youth academy, through the U18’s to the 21’s. I don’t expect Arsenal will look at the Laraman position until the seasons end, but with the new appointment pending to replace Brady, I don’t expect that Laraman will be part of the new long term planning for next season.
Onwards and upwards you Gunners!
lets just remember that this team has 3 to 4 U16’s which is Brown who is a 96 born and Moore, Maitland-Niles and O’Conner who are all 97’s and Dobson being an U15 plus they are all still 15 years of age. It’s all about development so give credit to these youngsters!
Yanbi your a muppet Arsenal play alot of under age players in there youth teams thats the policy they have adopted not everyone will agree. Downside is they are playing againist older teams and results have suffered.
I agree with an earlier comment is very important to teach these players team ethic and hard work these are needed to become great footballers not just techincal ability.
I for one am looking forward to seeing how Martinaz, Bellerin, Hayden, Angha, Ottweill, Yennaris,Gnarby and Akpom come on. We they all make f**k no lucky if two of them do but its a numbers game.