Preview | U18s travel to Arsenal in Premier League South

Arsenal U18s v West Ham United U18s
U18s Premier League South, Sobha Realty Training Centre, Saturday 25 January 2025, 11am GMT

West Ham United U18s kick off the second half of their Premier League South campaign with a trip to the Sobha Realty Training Centre to face Arsenal.

The two teams last met on the opening day of the season at Little Heath, where the young Gunners claimed a narrow 3-2 victory.

Of course, the two Academies famously met in the 2023 FA Youth Cup final at Emirates Stadium, where the Irons came from a goal down to run out comprehensive 5-1 winners to lift the trophy in memorable scenes.

How To Follow…

A report and post-match reaction will be available on the Club’s website and app following the final whistle, with highlights to follow.

Opposition…

Arsenal U18s head into Saturday's fixture having not played a league match since November. However, the young Gunners have since made progress in the FA Youth Cup, securing a narrow win over eighth-tier Hertford Town in the third round before defeating Queens Park Rangers on penalties in the fourth. 

Despite their position in the bottom half of the standings, Arsenal have only lost three league games this season. However, their last league wins came in the opening week, where they defeated Chelsea and West Ham in back-to-back matches.

Ones To Watch... 

Making his debut last season in the U18s Premier League at just 15, West Ham United U18s central midfielder Chinaza Nwosu has been capped over a dozen times for England at youth level. The first-year scholar is an exciting prospect that excels both in his ball control under pressure as well as his defensive duties.

Fresh off signing his first professional contract with the Hammers, Gabriel Caliste will be looking to continue making an impression at U18s level in midfield. A landmark season for the 18-year-old, making his senior international debut for Mauritius, Caliste has a goal and an assist in his nine Premier League south outings this season.

With one foot in the U21s camp and one in the U18s, Arsenal's Andre Annous has been in fine goalscoring form for their development sides. In his first year as a scholar, he has found the back of the net in every competition he’s featured in (EFL Trophy, Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup, U18 Premier League, and U18 Premier League Cup). The 17-year-old was involved in all three of Arsenal’s goals when they last met the young Hammers on the opening day of the season in a 3-2 win at Little Heath.

Although his favoured position is No10, Dan Casey has proven to be a goal threat all over the pitch. Deployed as a defensive midfielder as well as a striker, Casey has eight goals in nine U18 Premier League appearances following a first season as a scholar marred by injury. Adding to his Premier League South tally, Casey has also scored in the Premier League Cup and in both rounds of the young Gunners' FA Youth Cup campaign.

The Story So Far...

West Ham United U18s find themselves in eighth place at the halfway point of the Premier League South season, with three wins, four draws, and three losses from their ten matches.

Lauris Coggin’s side returned to league action last week following a mid-season break with a defeat to Crystal Palace.

With several players stepping up to the U21s squad, the second half of the season presents opportunities for younger scholars to make their mark and play a key role in the team’s progression.

U18 Premier League South