Emerson Nwaneri Goes in Goal as Arsenal Under-18s Stun Spurs Late

Arsenal’s under-18s completed a dramatic comeback to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the U18 Premier League South, with outfield player Emerson Nwaneri, brother of Ethan, playing a starring role in goal after both of Arsenal’s goalkeepers were forced off injured.

Mylo Bernard scored twice for the young Gunners, including a stoppage-time winner that came from a long free-kick by Nwaneri.

The first half was an end-to-end affair. Oliver Boast clipped the crossbar for Spurs, while at the other end Bernard had an effort tipped over after Maalik Hashi’s shot rebounded into his path. Jaden Maghoma also went close before the break, firing just wide after being teed up by Hakeem Abubakar.

The deadlock was broken shortly after the restart. Cayon Hanson drove through the Arsenal midfield before finding Joel Vidal-Philbert out wide, and his shot proved too strong for goalkeeper Jack Talbot.

Arsenal responded almost immediately. Straight from the kick-off, Abubakar raced down the left and delivered a cross that Bernard met ahead of his marker to level the scores within a minute.

However, after Talbot produced a superb fingertip save to keep out a 20-yard free-kick from Armend Muslika, he was forced off moments later following a collision with Boast. His replacement, Maximillian Lo Presti, lasted less than a quarter of an hour before he was also forced off, after being caught in the air by Phoenix Offiah while trying to claim a cross.

With no recognised goalkeeper left on the pitch, Nwaneri took the gloves. Despite Tottenham pushing for a winner as the game ticked into stoppage time, he stood firm and kept the visitors at bay.

The England youth international had scored in both of his previous league matches since returning from suspension last month, and against Spurs he proved he is just as capable of stopping goals as scoring them.

He then turned provider in the closing seconds. Nwaneri launched a free-kick forward from deep, which fell to Luis Munoz, who moved it out wide to Bernard. The striker cut inside and smashed a long-range effort in off the crossbar to complete a remarkable turnaround.

The victory extends Arsenal’s winning run to five matches in all competitions, and inflicts a defeat on league leaders Tottenham, cutting the gap at the top to three points. Arsenal now sit fourth in the U18 Premier League South with 13 points.

Several of the side are on the radar of the first team. Hashi, who started the derby, was named in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad for Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Lille, alongside fellow academy prospect Ceadach O’Neill.