Youth Round-up: Draw for Academy, and Reserves win as U17 Internationals continue to shine in Korea

U18 Academy League:

Charlton U18s 2 - 2 Arsenal U18s

Having beaten Chelsea convincingly the week before, Arsenal maintained their early unbeaten record as the champions of their division last year traveled to Charlton on Saturday morning last weekend. Having fallen 1-0 behind after Charlton striker Scott Wagstaff scored in the seventh minute, Arsenal levelled early in the second half through an amazing striker by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from just inside Charlton's half. But Wagstraff wasn't finished yet, and he again put the Addicks in front with half an hour left, with a simple finish after good work by Danny Uchechi for Charlton. But Arsenal's youth team showed the same imporessive spirit as the first team it seems, and squared things up with less than 10 minutes remaining, from a header by Rui Fonte from a set piece. However, with four first team players at the U17 World Cup, Steve Bould can be satisfied at this result.

Team:
Wociech Szczesny, Abu Ogogo, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, James Dunne, Paul Rodgers, Havard Nordtveit, Mark Randall (Craig Eastmond 75), Kieran Gibbs, Jay Simpson, Nacer Barazite (Vincent van den Berg 70), Rui Fonte

Reserve League South:

Fulham Reserves 1 - 2 Arsenal Reserves

In the opening reserve league fixture of the season, Arsenal fielded a young but very talented team against an equally inexperienced Fulham side, with Bendtner and Traore notable inclusions for the Gunners. And Arsenal got off to the perfect start as Bendtner recieved the ball in the first minute from Nacer Barazite, clipped the ball into the path of Jay Simpson, who expertly finished the move off. And Arsenal kept the pressure up with Gibbs, Traore and Simpson all having efforts go close, before the Gunners doubled the lead they deserved. 35 yards from goal Arsenal were awarded a free kick following a challenge on Bendtner by Adrian Leijer. James Dunne tapped the ball to the onrushing Traore who bulleted the ball into the top corner. But just before half time Gibbs gave away a penalty which was tucked away by Fulham to give the home side hope for the second half. However, a great defensive performance, particularly by Nordtveit who was made captain, ensured Fulham didn't breach the defense as Arsenal held on for the three points.

Team: Vito Mannone, Paul Rodgers, Armand Traore, Abu Ogogo, Havard Nordtveit, Kieran Gibbs, James Dunne, Nacer Barazite, Mark Randall (Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 37), Jay Simpson, Nicklas Bendtner (Rui Fonte 63)

Young Guns on International Duty:

Fran Merida (Spain):

Fran Merida helped Spain to a somewhat easy victory over Korea DPR on Wednesday, Spain triumphing 3-0 in the end. Merida played 79 minutes as two Bojan goals and another goal by Iago gave Spain a place in the Qarter Finals against France in what should be an excellent match.

Henri Lansbury, Gavin Hoyte, and Rhys Murphy (England):

The prominent duo of Henri Lansbury and Rhys Murphy helped massively as England triumphed over Syria to set up a clash-of-the-titans against old foes Germany for a place in the Semi Finals. Having already scored a penalty against Brazil in the previous match, when England weere given a chance to give themselves a lead against Syria from the penalty spot up stepped creative midfielder Henri Lansbury again, and again he scored with his spot kick. And he wasn't finished then either, as he helped lay on an assist for club team mate Rhys Murphy to score his first goal in the tournament as England ran out 3-1 winners over the battling Syrian side.

Youth Transfer News:

Jay Simpson: The young striker who was made reserve captain last year has made a loan move to Millwall until January. Simpson has already engraved his name into the history books at the Emirates Stadium with the first ever hat-trick at the venue in a Youth Cup fixture against Cardiff last year, so it'll be interesting to see how he does in competitive football.