U18 Premier League
Arsenal 6 (Saka 18, 39, Coyle 27, Amaechi 31, 68, M. Smith 49) Tottenham Hotspur 0
Arsenal U18s thrashed their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts 6-0 at London Colney this morning, with Bukayo Saka and Xavier Amaechi both hitting braces.
Trae Coyle and Matt Smith were also on the scoresheet as Arsenal, who had established a 4-0 lead by half-time, ran out winners against their rivals in emphatic style.
Coach Kwame Ampadu made X alterations to the side that beat Norwich City last time out, with Vontae Daley-Campbell, Robbie Burton and Saka replacing Harry Clarke, Zak Swanson and Folarin Balogun.
Winger Jay Beckford was named on the bench for the first time this season after recovering from injury.
Virginia
Daley Campbell-Ballard-Omole-Thompson
Benson-M. Smith
Amaechi-Burton-Saka
Coyle
Subs: Spencer-Adams (for Omole, 73), Clarke (for Burton, 73), Beckford (for Saka, 76). Not used: Barden, Olayinka.
Arsenal were dominant early on and they took the lead in the 18th minute through a fine finish from Saka, with the schoolboy continuing to impress at this level.
It was soon 2-0 as Coyle found the net for the first time since returning from injury and then Amaechi, who was on the bench for the U23s last night, inflicted further misery upon Tottenham as he scored after being teed up by Robbie Burton.
Arsenal were unrelenting in their approach and added another goal before the break when Saka scored again, this time after being set up by Vontae Daley-Campbell.
Tottenham coach Scott Parker made a double change at half-time, which included bringing on Mauricio Pochettino’s son Maurizio Pochettino, but Arsenal remained in control of proceedings.
Shortly after the restart it was 5-0 as midfielder Matt Smith, who has been quietly impressive this campaign, managed to find the net.
Arsenal made it 6-0 later in the second half when Josh Benson found Amaechi, who provided another reminder of his quality.
There was another positive to take from proceedings as Beckford made his first appearance of the campaign, playing the last 14 minutes after replacing Saka.
Arsenal’s win was all the more commendable given that it was achieved without the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Zech Medley, who were with the U23s last night, as well as Balogun, Tyreece John-Jules and Joseph Olowu, amongst others, who didn’t feature today.
Arsenal lined up without a recognised striker yet were still prolific in front of goal, with Coyle and Amaechi demonstrating just why they are so highly rated.
Saka continues to develop apace, while Burton and Benson will also be pleased with their contributions as they look to earn professional contracts.
Overall, this was a thoroughly satisfying encounter for Arsenal, made even better by the margin of victory and the identity of the opponents.
