How have Arsenal U18s gotten on so far this season?

Charles Sagoe Jr


By Oli Dickson Jefford

While questions surround Arsenal’s senior side and Mikel Arteta after a rocky January, there is plenty of other football within Arsenal to also focus on.

The Gunners' Hale End academy is renowned for producing an array of young talent, so it is always interesting to keep an eye on how the club’s youth sides are faring.

Though the U23 squad may attract more attention, being arguably a little closer to a potential first-team breakthrough, the U18 side is also a key part of the academy. 

With the U18 league split into North and South divisions, the Gunners have plenty of London rivals to take on as they vie for glory.

Here is how they have been faring.


How have Arsenal got on?

Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premier League U18 South table, five places off league leaders Chelsea but eight spots above bottom side Norwich.

It has been a bit of a mixed bag form-wise, with seven wins but also four draws and four losses in their 15 games, to leave the Gunners sitting on 25 points. 

Having played more matches than any other team in the league it will be difficult for them to push on up the table, but they should be clear of the teams below them.

The U18s' current form is an indicator of how up and down their campaign has been with two wins, two losses and a draw in their past five matches.

Their last contest saw them pick up a superb 4-0 win over Chelsea, though they also lost 4-1 to the league leaders two months ago.

A 3-2 victory in a thrilling North London derby against Tottenham in early January helped them move clear of eighth-placed Spurs, though a 3-0 defeat to second-placed West Ham followed just a week later.

The season started strongly for the U18 side with four wins and two draws in their opening six matches, though consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester derailed them slightly.

And perhaps most disappointing was a shock 3-0 defeat to Colchester United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, a tournament the squad would have been aiming to win. 

Standout performers

Arguably the most impressive performer for Arsenal this season is Khayon Edwards, who has scored 12 goals for the U18s.

The 18-year-old sits second in the league’s golden boot race and has also spent some time with the U23 squad, demonstrating how impressive he has been.

Attacking midfielder Charles Sagoe Jr has also impressed, with the 17-year-old scoring six goals and adding four assists across the 15 league games to date.

Sixteen-year-old Amario Cozier-Duberry and 18-year-old Marcelo Flores have also scored six goals this season, making them names to watch in the future.


Looking ahead

All in all, it has been a mixed campaign so far.

There have certainly been some positive signs in the league, but by and large there seems to be a slight gap between Arsenal and pace-setters Chelsea, West Ham and Southampton.

With 11 games left for the Gunners in the U18 league, it will be interesting to see how strongly they can finish their campaign.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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