U18 Premier League Cup

Arsenal 4 (Balogun, Coyle, McEneff, Saka) Norwich City 4 (a.e.t.) Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties

Arsenal U18s made it through to the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Norwich City following an enthralling encounter at London Colney on Saturday that ended 4-4 after extra-time.

Attacker Jordan McEneff, on as a substitute to make his first official appearance for the club after recovering from injury, was amongst the scorers, while another player who entered the fray, winger Zak Swanson, scored the decisive penalty.

Coach Kwame Ampadu made six changes to the team that prevailed past Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, with Harry Clarke, Josh Benson, James Olayinka, Jermaine Beckford, Bukayo Saka and Folarin Balogun all coming into the starting lineup.

Virginia

Daley Campbell-Clarke-Ballard-Thompson

Benson-Olayinka

Beckford-Coyle-Saka

Balogun

Subs: Barden, McEneff, Swanson, Spencer-Adams.

It was Norwich who opened the scoring courtesy of Aaron Ekumah, only for Arsenal to equalise when the clinical Folarin Balogun headed in from Clarke’s delivery.

Trae Coyle, who was on the bench for the U23s last week, then put Arsenal ahead following excellent work from schoolboy Bukayo Saka.

However, in an eventful game, Norwich managed to pull level as Alan Fleming scored, leading to extra-time.

The drama continued, with Adam Idah putting Norwich 3-2 ahead before turning provider for Anthony Spyrou, who tapped home to increase the Canaries’ advantage.

Arsenal, however, refused to give in, and McEneff’s first goal for the club was a timely one as he scored with an indirect free-kick in the penalty area.

The young Gunners pushed forwards in search of an equaliser and they were rewarded as Saka scored with a neat finish.

That lead to penalties, with McEneff seeing his effort saved.

Dominic Thompson, Clarke, Saka and Coyle all converted their penalties for Arsenal, while Joao Virginia made two impressive saves.

Swanson then stepped up to secure Arsenal’s place in the semi-finals, where they will face either Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur or Everton.