Nwaneri scores again as Arsenal u18s beat Crystal Palace
Emerson Nwaneri scored again as Arsenal Under-18s made it back-to-back wins in the U18 Premier League South with a controlled 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The young Gunners had to be patient after a quiet start, with Palace creating the first clear opening when Raihaan Anderson tested Remi Lupinski from close range. The Arsenal goalkeeper made an important save to keep the game level.
Jayden Maghoma soon forced Lucca Benetton into a low save before providing the delivery for the opening goal shortly after the half-hour mark.
Maghoma collected the ball on the left and found Nwaneri, who finished from close range into the bottom corner.
Arsenal had another chance before half-time when Maalik Hashi combined with Callan Hamill, but Hashi sent his effort wide of the far post.
The hosts started the second half with greater purpose, keeping Palace under pressure and restricting their opportunities to build any sustained momentum.
Hashi and Nwaneri then combined to create an opening for Luis Munoz, but the 14-year-old sent his effort from the edge of the area narrowly wide.
Palace raised the tempo in the closing 15 minutes as they searched for an equaliser, but Arsenal responded with the goal that settled the match.
Hamill struck from the edge of the penalty area, rifling his effort into the top corner to make sure of all three points.
“It was a really controlled performance compared to last week,” u18 boss Josh Smith said, “very similar in terms of going 1-0 up.
“The biggest learning from last week was if we get the second goal, then we can have more control with that.
“I didn’t like how we started, it was a little bit slow, it took us around half an hour to get going. But as soon as we scored that first goal, the last 15 minutes [of the first half] and the second half, in terms of the territory that we had, was much, much better.
“The best way to sum it up would be a mature performance from a very young team. Once everyone calmed down [after the first goal], there was a lot more control.
“Today we only started with four second years, so very, very pleasing.”
The victory takes Arsenal into the top half of the U18 Premier League South, with seven points from their opening five matches and eighth place in the table.
Arsenal travel to Norwich City next Saturday, 19 September, for their next league fixture, with kick-off scheduled for 12pm UK time.