Kido Taylor-Hart has confirmed that he will leave Arsenal this summer after 13 years at the club.
The skilful winger spent this season on loan at Bromley, who earned promotion to League Two, and he previously had a loan spell with Derby County’s U21 side.
Taylor-Hart, 21, progressed through the ranks at Hale End and signed scholarship terms in 2019 before progressing to a professional contract two years later. He confirmed his departure on Instagram.
In total Taylor-Hart made 33 appearances for Arsenal U21s and scored six goals, which included a vital strike against West Ham United in 2021 to keep the young Gunners in the top division of Premier League 2.
Previously capped by England at U17 level, Taylor-Hart first featured for Arsenal U18s as a schoolboy and was identified as a very exciting talent.
Taylor-Hart subsequently endured difficulties with injuries and perhaps didn’t receive as many chances as he deserved at times for the U21s.
Arsenal U21s endured a frustrating end to the season with a late defeat to Chelsea in the play-offs.
It has been an eventful campaign for Mehmet Ali’s side which has included patches of impressive form and also some disappointing results.
As ever, there were plenty of changes to the team throughout the campaign, but one of the biggest positives was the progress made by Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Both of the hugely talented midfielders had already gained experience at this level during the previous campaign, but this season they were key players throughout and took some significant strides forward in terms of their overall performances.
Nwaneri, for instance, scored a hugely impressive eleven goals, while Lewis-Skelly also produced some encouraging displays. Centre-back Ayden Heaven, meanwhile, also performed well as he made the step up to this level.
Ovie Ejeheri was the main goalkeeper and made some spectacular saves at times, although he may well want to test himself elsewhere at senior level next season having already gained experience on loan.
The loss of Lino Sousa in the Winter transfer window caused a problem for the team at left-back, with right-back James Sweet often having to fill in there. Nonetheless, Sweet always gave his all wherever he was deployed and he is another player who emerges from this campaign with credit.
For winger Amario Cozier-Duberry there were more challenges than last season but he concluded the campaign in excellent form, which was recognised by him being named the Premier League 2 player of the month. He now faces a decision on his future, along with defender Reuell Walters, who featured prominently for the U21s again.
In attack, Khayon Edwards impressed before going out on loan for the first time, and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji returned from loan to help the team in the second half of the campaign. It is anticipated that Chido Martin Obi will step up to the U21s next season after his record-breaking season for the U18s. Winger Charles Sagoe Jr often excelled for the U21s but his loan move to Swansea City didn’t work out as expected.
Jack Henry-Francis was committed in midfield and needs to be playing senior football of some description next season, while younger players like Ismeal Kabia and Josh Nichols also stepped up.
The EFL Trophy campaign ended with a loss to Peterborough United and there could be further challenges for the U21s next season as they will receive an invite to compete in the Premier League International Cup.
Jimi Gower and Ismail Oulad M’Hand were involved in their first full campaign at this level and often gave good accounts of themselves.
There is often a major summer overhaul for the U21s and it seems as if that will be the case again this summer, with a host of players in contention to leave.
After the 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup, questions were being asked about the direction that Arsenal U18s were heading in, especially as league results were also somewhat concerning for a little while thereafter.
Fast forward four months, however, and the situation is rather different, with Jack Wilshere’s new-look side having concluded the campaign in impressive fashion as they have found the net on many occasions, often through the prolific Chido Martin Obi.
This has been a somewhat unusual campaign for the U18s as there was a significant change with around three months remaining of the season with the players that were told they would not be receiving professional contracts being phased out and an exciting group of schoolboys were given increased opportunities at this level.
Many of those schoolboys have certainly taken those chances, not least Martin Obi, who scored 32 goals in just 18 games, the most ever in a single campaign by an Arsenal player at this level.
Other schoolboys have also stepped up, with the likes of Louis Zecevic John, Ife Ibrahim, Theo Julienne, Andre Annous and U14 prospect Max Dowman all making an impact.
As a result, some of the first years haven’t played as often as they would have liked. Big things were expected of Bless Akolbire, for example, but the midfielder, who struggled with injuries last season, has yet to fully establish himself as a regular in the team. Others like Jakai Fisher and Max Kuczynski endured injury-hit campaigns but should be more involved next season.
Some first years did manage to give a good account of themselves. Defender Will Sweet established himself as a regular in the side, while Louie Copley also featured prominently. The skilful Dan Casey showed his ability in the second half of the campaign after recovering from injury and new signing Brayden Clarke fitted in well. In addition, left-back Cam’ron Ismail became more involved as the campaign wore on, while Daniel Oyetunde will aim to really push on next season after struggling with injury.
In terms of the second years, many players in this group either stepped up to the U21s or have been let go, but Michal Rosiak has been one of the most consistent performers at U18 level this season. Rosiak weighed in with nine goals and six assists, with his ability from free-kicks making him a major threat to opponents.
Harrison Dudziak captained the side and was a committed performer throughout, with his passing of a high standard. Seb Ferdinand also impressed before injury brought his campaign to an early end, while Osman Kamara worked hard to make an impact.
The FA Youth Cup defeat will undoubtedly still hurt Wilshere, as will the exit from the Premier League Cup to a lesser extent, but he will surely be proud of how his team finished the season, especially given that they scored 83 goals across 24 league matches.
The experience that the schoolboys gained last season will undoubtedly help them next season as they continue to feature for the U18s.
There were still some concerning moments defensively, but some of the attacking play in the latter stages of the season was of a very high standard. Arsenal were unbeaten in eight of their last nine games, winning seven of them.
Arsenal also had to cope without the talented trio of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayden Heaven for much of the campaign as they mainly played for the U21s.
In total, 15 schoolboys were called up to the U18s, which is higher than in many previous campaigns. It is a positive that Wilshere has shown that he is unafraid to play younger players over older ones, and hopefully that trend will continue next season.
Harrison Dudziak and Ismeal Kabia, two of the remaining second year scholars at the club, are set to sign professional contracts with Arsenal ahead of next season.
Dudziak has frequently captained Arsenal’s U18 side this season and also made six appearances for the U21s in Premier League 2 as well as featuring in the EFL Trophy and the UEFA Youth League.
The hard-working midfielder made his final appearance for the U18s against Chelsea yesterday and is now set to step up to U21 level on a full-time basis.
Winger Kabia has established himself as a regular in the U21 side after returning from injury.
Kabia has made 13 appearances for the U21s this season and will be looking to really push on next campaign.
Michal Rosiak, who already has a professional contract which he signed last year, will also step up to the U21s full-time.
Arsenal 2 (Lewis-Skelly 13, Butler-Oyedeji 55) Chelsea 3 (Moreira 45, 80, 90)
By Jeorge Bird @ Meadow Park, Borehamwood
Arsenal U21s saw their hopes of play-off glory come to an end in agonising fashion as they lost 3-2 at home to Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
The young Gunners had given a good account of themselves early in the game and took the lead through a superb strike from Myles Lewis-Skelly. However, Chelsea equalised through Diego Moreira before Nathan Butler-Oyedeji restored Arsenal’s lead.
The hugely talented Moreira was unrelenting in his quest for goals, however, and he managed to equalise before scoring the decisive effort in stoppage time.
It was a hugely frustrating way for Arsenal to end the campaign at this level but eventually there will be time to reflect on the progress made this season by the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Ayden Heaven.
Arsenal were without Reuell Walters due to a minor injury, so Josh Nichols came into the side at left-back, with James Sweet deployed at right-back. On the bench, Khari Ranson, Josh Robinson and Ismail Oulad M’Hand were all named in the squad.
Ejeheri
J. Sweet-Monlouis-Heaven-Nichols
Lewis Skelly
Henry Francis-Nwaneri
Cozier Duberry-Butler Oyedeji-Kabia
Subs: Gower (for Lewis-Skelly, 79), Robinson (for Monlouis, 90), I. Oulad M’Hand (for J. Sweet, 90). Not used: Ranson, Kamara.
Butler-Oyedeji required treatment after being hit in the face with the ball in the opening seconds of the game, but he was thankfully able to continue.
Arsenal had the first opportunity as Ethan Nwaneri hit the post, with Chelsea then responding with a header that went over.
Nwaneri continued to threaten and had an effort pushed away, and then Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with a well-struck shot after the ball fell to him following a corner.
Amario Cozier-Duberry, who was named the Premier League 2 player of the month for April, shot wide, but Arsenal still had to be alert at the other end, with Nichols and Sweet making important defensive interventions.
Deivid Washington had a shot saved by Ovie Ejeheri and it seemed as if Arsenal were going to be able to go into the break in front.
However, Chelsea managed to equalise courtesy of a very good finish from Moreira.
Arsenal had chances to restore their lead through Nwaneri and Heaven, but the two sides went into the break level.
Chelsea started the second half strongly, with Ejeheri having to make a couple of saves before Washington shot wide.
It was Arsenal who would get the next goal, though, with Butler-Oyedeji continuing his good form in the play-offs by scoring after he was found by Ismeal Kabia.
There were chances for both sides as Ejeheri was called into action again before Jack Henry-Francis shot over.
Arsenal made a change as Jimi Gower came on in place of Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea equalised through Moreira’s second goal of the game and then Ejeheri had to make an excellent double save.
Nwaneri had a good chance to restore Arsenal’s lead but he was unable to find the net and then substitute Tyrique George struck the crossbar for Chelsea.
Arsenal made a double change as Josh Robinson came on for Zane Monlouis and Ismail Oulad M’Hand replaced Sweet.
The young Gunners fielded a back three with Kabia and Cozier-Duberry as wing-backs and Nichols as a right-sided centre-back, but the system didn’t seem to have the desired effect.
Ejeheri made another excellent stop but there was little that he could do to keep out the late strike from Moreira, which brought Arsenal’s season to an abrupt end.
There will be frustration at the result today, and for some of these players this may well be their last game at this level.
Some encouraging progress has been made throughout the season, but this certainly wasn’t how Arsenal would have wanted to conclude the campaign.
Arsenal 5 (Martin Obi 16 (pen.), 85, 90, Dowman 65, Oyetunde 81) Chelsea 2 (Mheuka 34, Runham 56)
Chido Martin Obi concluded a remarkable campaign in typical fashion as he scored a hat-trick in Arsenal U18s’ 5-2 win at home to Chelsea.
Martin Obi had already broken the record for the most goals scored by an Arsenal U18 player in a league season and he finished the campaign with an incredible 32 goals. The striker was presented with a special shirt after the game in reference to his achievement.
U14 player Max Dowman got on the scoresheet, as did Daniel Oyetunde, who made his first appearance since February after returning from injury.
Jack Wilshere’s side finish the campaign in third place in the table.
Owen Asemota replaced Jack Porter in goal, while Andre Annous started in the absence of Osman Kamara, who was with the U21s. Michal Rosiak filled in at centre-back with Brayden Clarke unavailable.
Schoolboy goalkeeper Danny Dixon was named on the bench as he received his first callup at this level, while first year scholar Max Kuczynski was involved for the first time after injury.
Arsenal took the lead in the 16th minute, with Martin Obi opening the scoring from the penalty spot.
However, Chelsea managed to turn matters around as Shim Mheuka equalised before Frankie Runham put the Blues ahead.
Dowman managed to pull Arsenal level after being found by Martin Obi, with substitute Oyetunde then putting the Gunners ahead.
There was still time for Martin Obi to get two more goals, with his third coming from the penalty spot in the 12th minute of stoppage time after Chelsea’s Travis Akomeah was sent off for a foul in the area.
Kuczynski had also come on for his debut as he replaced Cam’ron Ismail.
Wilshere’s side endured some difficult moments earlier in the campaign, especially when they were thrashed by Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup. However, matters have turned around significantly in recent months, with a side including several promising schoolboys concluding the campaign strongly.
Arsenal U15s goalkeeper Danny Dixon has received his first competitive callup to the Arsenal U18 squad for today’s game at home to Chelsea.
Dixon, who has featured at U16 level, has previously trained with Jack Wilshere’s squad and is named on the bench for the final U18 game of the season, with fellow schoolboy Owen Asemota starting.
Asemota replaces Jack Porter in goal, while Andre Annous comes in for Osman Kamara out wide. Theo Julienne also comes into the side in the absence of Brayden Clarke.
First year scholar Max Kuczynski is amongst the substitutes as he receives his first competitive callup at this level. Daniel Oyetunde is also on the bench as he makes his return from injury.
Arsenal youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry has received the Premier League 2 player of the month award for April, as reported by the club’s official website.
The winger’s Arsenal future is still uncertain as he has yet to commit to a new deal, with his current contract set to expire at the end of June.
However, he has remained focused on the pitch and has produced some stellar performances for the U21s of late.
Cozier-Duberry scored and provided an assist against Stoke City and then found the net against Blackburn Rovers before hitting a brace in the win over Liverpool.
The 18-year-old is the first Arsenal player to win the Premier League 2 player of the month award since Folarin Balogun, who won the November 2021 award.
Arsenal U21s are in the midst of an exciting Premier League 2 play-off campaign that has already seen them beat Manchester United, with the challenge of Chelsea to come on Saturday and a potential clash with either Tottenham Hotspur of Liverpool beyond that.
There were some changes in defence and in goal for the Arsenal team that faced United, but coach Mehmet Ali seems set on his first choice midfield of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jack Henry-Francis and Ethan Nwaneri.
Ali also seems to have settled on his preferred attacking trio, with Amario Cozier-Duberry and Ismeal Kabia deployed either side of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Butler-Oyedeji already possesses some experience of senior football via loan spells, while Cozier-Duberry has been a key player for the U21s for some time.
However, Kabia’s emergence as a regular in the side has been especially interesting.
The youngster signed scholarship terms ahead of last season but spent much of the first year and a half of his contract out injured.
Kabia has certainly made up for lost time, however, and the 18-year-old has featured prominently for the U21s of late despite competition from the likes of Osman Kamara.
Usually deployed on the left wing, Kabia uses his speed to excellent effect and is capable of delivering dangerous crosses with regularity.
Defenders have often found it difficult to deal with Kabia’s crosses, which are sent in with such speed.
Whereas Cozier-Duberry is known to cut inside on some occasions, Kabia has a more direct approach and is more of a traditional winger in that he likes to stay close to the touchline.
Kabia scored on his first league start for the U21s against Middlesbrough in January and will now be looking to add more goals to his game as he aims to push on even further.
Given the progress that he has made, Kabia will surely be offered a professional contract by Arsenal and if he stays he will he a full-time member of the U21 setup next season given that he will no longer be eligible for the U18s.
Kabia’s development has been one of the most heartwarming stories of the season after the struggles that he previously endured. It would be even more special if he was to help Arsenal U21s secure glory in the play-offs.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 