Report – Musah and Balogun hit braces as Arsenal U18s thrash Fulham

U18 Premier League

Arsenal 6 (Musah 12, 50, Balogun 22 (pen.), 48, M. Smith 26, Swanson 90) Fulham 2 (Ablade 79, Elliot 82)

To continue a hugely positive week for the Arsenal academy, the U18s thrashed Fulham 6-2 at London Colney today, with Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun both hitting braces.

Arsenal were without the suspended Vontae Daley-Campbell, so Zak Swanson moved to right-back, with schoolboy Miguel Azeez coming into the side.

Schoolboy Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who has been offered a scholarship for next season, received his first call-up at this level as he made the bench.

Arsenal started brightly and they took the lead in the 12th minute when another schoolboy, Musah, finished well following impressive work from Ben Cottrell.

The young Gunners missed two penalties in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but they made no mistake on this occasion, with Folarin Balogun making it 2-0 from the spot in the 22nd minute.

Musah then set up the ever-improving Matt Smith to score as Arsenal took a 3-0 lead into the interval.

There were further goals to come just after the interval, with Smith turning provider as both Balogun and Musah added to their tallies.

Fulham, to their credit, continued to battle on and they were rewarded for their persistence when Terry Ablade and Harvey Elliot scored.

Arsenal remained largely in control, however, and added a sixth goal in stoppage time when substitute Matthew Dennis teed up Swanson.

Arsenal: Hein; Swanson, McGuinness, Spencer-Adams, Lopez; M. Smith, Azeez; Cottrell, Greenwood, Musah; Balogun.

Subs: Okonkwo, Dennis, Flaherty, Alebiousu, Butler-Oyedeji.