Arsenal under-18’s poor start to the league’s play-offs continued on Saturday as Tolaji Bola’s own goal saw them defeated 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion.
The Gunners have now accrued just one point from their opening three games, and need to improve their form soon if they are to start climbing the table.
The inexperienced Joao Virginia started in goal for Arsenal, and he was given an early warning when Marcus Forss drilled a shot fractionally wide early on.
With 15 this season for the under-18’s, Eddie Nketiah has been the primary source of goals for Arsenal. However, after a long spell of pressure he could only lash a left-footed shot just wide of goal when well-placed.
As the Gunners began to grow into the game, a better chance fell to the feet of Yassin Fortune just minutes later. After the Frenchman exchanged passes with Nketiah he had a clear sight of goal but could only drag his shot wide of the post.
Forss had been looking dangerous all game, and just before half time the Finnish striker opened the scoring for West Brom. After Kostas Pileas’ hooked clearance fell to him, Forss was allowed to advance forwards unchallenged before arrowing a fine strike into the bottom corner of the net.
Eight minutes after the interval, Arsenal were level and there were no prizes for guessing the goal scorer. Fortune did well on the right-hand side before laying it back for Nathan Tella to play in a fine cross for Nketiah to head in his 16th of the season past the helpless Bradley House.
Parity did not last for long, however. As Tella failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Forss who squeezed in a cross across goal which found its way into the corner of the net via a deflection off the unfortunate Bola.
While Arsenal dominated the ball in their search of an equaliser, they failed to create a real chance until late on. At one end, Forss smacked a shot against the post before a counter attack ended with Charlie Gilmour crossing in for Vlad Dragomir to head into the side netting from close range.
The under-18’s next games are a two-legged tie against Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.
