U18 Premier League

Leicester City 2 (Tee 5, M. Smith (o.g.) 81) Arsenal 0

A very inexperienced Arsenal U18 team were beaten 2-0 away by Leicester City today.

With several players rested for Monday’s U23 game against Tottenham Hotspur, which comes just a day before the Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City in which several youngsters are likely to be involved, U18 coach Kwame Ampadu had to call upon a host of U16 players against the Foxes.

Miguel Azeez, Stan Flaherty and Josh Martin all started the game along with schoolboy goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, while Yunus Musah, Matthew Dennis and Hubert Graczyk all made the bench for the first time.

Okonkwo

Daley Campbell-Spencer Adams-Ballard-Thompson

M.Smith-Azeez

Swanson-Flaherty-Martin

Saka

Subs: Musah (for Swanson, 62), Dennis (for Martin, 62), Agbontohoma (for Azeez, 76). Not used: Graczyk.

As expected, Arsenal found it difficult against a more experienced Leicester side and the hosts took the lead in the fifth minute through Conor Tee.

Arsenal managed to restrict Leicester’s dominance a little but the Foxes got their second goal of the game with nine minutes remaining when Matthew Smith turned the ball into his own net.

David Agbontohoma replaced Azeez to make his debut late on.

As mentioned, the young Gunners were without a host of players for this fixture. Here’s a look at who was missing and why.

Reiss Nelson – training with first-team

Emile Smith Rowe – at U17 World Cup

Joao Virginia, Zech Medley, Joseph Olowu, Tobi Omole, Josh Benson, Folarin Balogun, Harry Clarke, Tyreece John-Jules – rested for U23 game against Tottenham

Alex Crean, Jay Beckford, Robbie Burton, Xavier Amaechi, Daniel Barden, Trae Coyle, Jordan McEneff, Mark McGuinness, James Olayinka – injured

Armstrong Okoflex, Tom Smith – Unknown