14 y/o midfielder late strike hands Arsenal victory over Napoli in UEFA Youth League

Arsenal U19s began their UEFA Youth League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Napoli on Wednesday.

Luis Munoz impressed again, scoring a late winner to help the young Gunners secure all three points and cap off a remarkable week for the midfielder.

The 14-year-old put in a great shift for the U18s last Saturday, helping them record their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Southampton.

Napoli began the stronger side with Francesco De Stefano forcing goalkeeper Jack Porter to make an early save.

Porter had to be alert again, preventing Mohamed Mane, who had been put through on goal, from giving the hosts the lead. The ball ricocheted off the striker, but Josh Ogunnaike cleared it off the line.

Porter then misplaced a pass, which fell into Mane’s path. However, the 16-year-old could not beat the Arsenal goalkeeper, who tipped his effort over.

Arsenal took the lead before the half-hour mark, profiting from a defensive mistake that allowed Andre Harriman-Annous to tap the ball home.

Napoli responded well to going behind, but they found it difficult to beat Porter. They were also denied by the woodwork.

The Italian side eventually drew level through Milton Pereyra in the 58th minute, who fired home after Theo Julienne’s loose touch fell into his path.

Six minutes from time, Alessandro Rovetini thought he had completed the turnaround for Napoli after lobbing Porter, but his effort was ruled offside.

Deep into stoppage time, Munoz netted the winner for Arsenal, curling his effort into the top corner.

The England youth international has now become the second-youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history, just days older than Max Dowman was when he set the record.

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