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.
Alex Kirk featured as Bromley secured promotion to League Two by winning the National League play-off final against Solihull Moors at Wembley. Bromley prevailed 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 after extra-time. Kirk came on in the 60th minute and hit the woodwork on two occasions. Kido Taylor-Hart wasn’t involved.
Albert Sambi Lokonga provided an assist and played the whole game as Luton Town drew 1-1 with Everton.
Marquinhos got an assist as Fluminense drew 2-2 with Atletico Mineiro. The 21-year-old was deployed at right-back and played the whole game.
Charlie Patino played 61 minutes in the final appearance of his loan spell as Swansea City lost 1-0 to Millwall. Charles Sagoe Jr wasn’t involved. Brooke Norton-Cuffy came on in the 58th minute for Millwall as his loan also came to an end.
Salah-Eddine played 71 minutes as Den Bosch lost 2-1 to Emmen.
Catalin Cirjan came on in the 80th minute and was booked as Rapid Bucharest lost 3-2 to CFR Cluj.
Mika Biereth played 64 minutes and was booked as Sturm Graz drew 1-1 with Hartberg.
Nuno Tavares wasn’t involved as Nottingham Forest won 3-1 against Sheffield United.
Kieran Tierney missed out through injury as Real Sociedad beat Las Palmas 2-0.
Omar Rekik didn’t play due to a registration issue as Servette beat Winterthur 2-1.
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Olusesi 1, Ajayi 87, Willhoft-King 90) Arsenal 2 (Martin Obi 66 (pen.), Rosiak 68)
Chido Martin Obi scored his 29th league goal of the season but Arsenal U18s saw their seven game unbeaten run come to an end as they conceded a late goal in a 3-2 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur today.
Osman Kamara, who featured as a substitute for the U21s last night, was named in the starting lineup for the U18s.
Porter
Ibrahim-Clarke-W. Sweet-C. Ismail
Rosiak
Copley-Dudziak
Dowman-Martin Obi-Kamara
Subs: Benjamin (for Copley, 73). Not used: Ranson, Julienne, Casey, Annous.
It was a frustrating start for Arsenal, with Tottenham taking the lead in the first minute through Callum Olusesi.
There was encouragement for Arsenal when they were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark following a foul on Osman Kamara.
Michal Rosiak stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was saved by Samual Archer.
Shortly afterwards Arsenal had another penalty, with Max Dowman, who trained with the first-team yesterday, being fouled on this occasion.
Martin Obi took the penalty on this occasion and succeeded in finding the net.
Just two minutes later Arsenal were in front, with Rosiak making amends for his penalty miss by scoring with an effort from outside the area.
Arsenal then made a substitution as Omari Benjamin replaced Louie Copley.
It appeared as if Arsenal were going to see out the victory but Tottenham equalised in the 87th minute as Damola Ajayi scored.
There was a further blow to come for Arsenal as Gabriel Han Willhoft-King put Tottenham ahead with a goal in the first minute of stoppage time.
Arsenal attempted to get an equaliser but Tottenham secured all three points.
Jack Wilshere’s side, who are in third place in the table, finish their season next Saturday when they host Chelsea.
Arsenal 6 (Butler-Oyedeji 14, 42, Henry-Francis 27, Cozier-Duberry 30, 90, Nwaneri 54 (pen.) Manchester United 2 (Mather 62, Biancheri 90)
By Jeorge Bird @ Meadow Park
Arsenal U21s’ first involvement in the Premier League 2 playoffs proved to be a memorable encounter as they secured an emphatic 6-2 win at home to Manchester United.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Amario Cozier-Duberry both scored braces, while Jack Henry-Francis also found the net and Ethan Nwaneri scored a penalty.
The young Gunners will now face Chelsea at home in the quarter-finals in what is set to be another entertaining encounter.
Mehmet Ali will be delighted with the way in which his team conducted themselves as they made matters very difficult for United.
United named Tom Huddlestone, who is a player and youth coach at the club, on the bench.
Arsenal welcomed back Ovie Ejeheri in goal, while Zane Monlouis started at centre-back after returning from his loan spell at Reading. Reuell Walters moved across to right-back, with James Sweet deployed at left-back.
It was an intense start to the game, with Manchester United making matters difficult for Arsenal as they closed them down with regularity.
However, Arsenal soon managed to assert themselves, with Butler-Oyedeji opening the scoring in the 14th minute after good work from Cozier-Duberry.
Soon it was 2-0 with Henry-Francis, who produced an impressive display, applying the finishing touch following a slick team move, with Nwaneri and Walters involved in the build-up.
The goals just kept coming for Arsenal, who found themselves 3-0 up on the half hour mark courtesy of a superb strike from Cozier-Duberry, whose emphatic effort went in off the woodwork.
It was almost 4-0 as the lively Butler-Oyedeji had an effort cleared off the line but the striker did then manage to get his second goal of the game with an impressive finish.
Arsenal went for goal again before the interval, with Nwaneri’s shot being saved after he exchanged passes with James Sweet.
As the second half got underway Arsenal continued to search for more goals and they came agonisingly close to adding to their tally as Nwaneri struck the post.
The midfielder showed some clever touches throughout and he then won a penalty which he stepped up to score himself.
There was then a defensive reshuffle as Monlouis, who gave a good account of himself on his return to action, was replaced by Josh Nichols.
That change saw Walters move to centre-back, with Nichols coming on at right-back.
United had barely threatened all game but they did manage to reduce the deficit through a superb free-kick from Sam Mather.
Arsenal made another alteration as Jimi Gower came in for Henry-Francis.
Ejeheri was called into action as United started to see a bit more of the ball before Butler-Oyedeji’s shot at the other end was deflected into the side-netting.
There was then a double change for Arsenal with Elian Quesada-Thorn and Osman Kamara coming on for Nwaneri and Kabia as James Sweet moved into midfield.
Cozier-Duberry then, remarkably, made it 6-1 to Arsenal as he showed excellent control on the counter-attack and then finished well.
United continued to push forward and scored late on, with Gabriele Biancheri on target.
Arsenal won 6-2 and gave a very good account of themselves, especially in the first half.
The likes of Butler-Oyedeji, Henry-Francis and Cozier-Duberry were especially effective but the whole team deserves credit for a determined display.
It is important not to look too far ahead with regards to the play-offs as Chelsea will undoubtedly provide a difficult test.
However, as they demonstrated tonight, Arsenal’s attacking play is of a very high standard and if they perform like this again next time out then they will give themselves a very good chance of reaching the last four.
Arsenal prospect Max Dowman trained with the first-team today.
The hugely talented midfielder, 14, is still technically an U14 player.
Dowman has broken into Arsenal’s U18 squad this season – he has made five league appearances at that level and has scored one goal, while he has provided four assists.
The England U16 international is one of the youngest ever players to train with the Arsenal first-team.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 