Our under-18s had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Saturday, but remain undefeated so far this campaign.
A first-half headed goal from Callan Hamill brought us level, after Chrizaram Ezenwata had initially put the visitors ahead earlier on.
What happened
The first chance of the affair fell to our under-18s, when a quick throw-in found Ceadach O’Neill in operation down the left flank. The Northern Ireland under-21 international worked well to whip his cross and find Maalik Hashi arriving at the edge of the box, but saw his effort clear Freddy Bernal’s upright.
Moments later, a lively O’Neill looked to have broken free of Onassis Waite to go clear with just Bernal to beat, but as he set to shoot, the defender clawed the ball back and defused the attack.
Against the run of play, it was the visitors who opened the lead inside 25 minutes. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen swung his inswinging corner into Jack Porter’s crowded six-yard box, as the ‘keeper made an initial parry back into the fray, but could not keep out Chrizaram Ezenwata’s follow-up effort.
The Chelsea forward almost doubled his tally shortly after, when he broke through one-on-one with Porter, but Samuel Onyekachukwu recovered well to make a last-ditch tackle and keep his side in the game.
Deservedly, we were back on level terms ten minutes later. O’Neill sent a free-kick deep into Chelsea’s box to cause a scramble between players, and it was Callan Hamill, who donned the armband, to head home a loose ball at the back post.
After the interval, we endured a spell of increased Chelsea pressure. Porter, who made his England under-19 debut during the international break, was called into action to claim Sol Gordon’s searching cross. Gordon looked to cause more problems moments later, having cut inside from his wide position, but struggled to keep his effort down.
Chelsea substitute Eboue, son of former Gunners player Emmanuel, came close to firing our London neighbours ahead on 69 minutes, but had his shot blocked after Hamill had initially cleared the build-up play.
Fresh off the bench, Brando Bailey-Joseph ventured on an impressive solo run through Chelsea’s midfield and back line to find an overlapping O’Neill in a promising area. His curling effort looked sure to nestle its way into Bernal’s top-right corner, but the no.1 stretched well to fingertip wide of his post.
Despite added Chelsea urgency, a professional display at the back ensured we came away with a hard-earned point.
What it means
The result means we remain undefeated in the campaign, with ten points from four games played.
What’s next
Our under-18s return to action on Saturday, September 20, when they host Ipswich Town.
Kick-off at Sobha Realty Training Centre is at 12pm.
Team news
Arsenal XI: Porter, Owusu-Gyasi (Frohock 81), Chapman, Onyekachukwu, Hamill, Murisa, Thompson (Bailey-Joseph 58), Julienne (Philips 93), O’Neill, Hashi, Ogunnaike.
Subs not used: Tahou, Talbot.
Chelsea XI: Bernal, Richards, Waite, Subuloye, Diakite, Holland (Da Silva 66), Gordon, Nicoll-Jazuli, Ezenwata, Walsh (Eboue 66), Kavuma-McQueen (Barbour 66).
Subs not used: Collinson, McGlinchey.
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