A week after Iwobi and co. lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Arsenal U18 team were handed a chance for redemption when they faced their North London neighbors in the semifinal of the Premier League Cup on Saturday.

Despite taking the lead through the hugely talented Nigerian striker Folarin Balogun, the young Gunners conceded four goals in the second half and crashed out of the competition.

Defender Joseph Olowu returned to the line-up after recovering from injury, James Olayinka started in attacking midfield, Balogun led the frontline with Bukayo Saka, fresh from international duty with England U17s, named on the Arsenal bench.

Arsenal led 1-0 at the break thanks to Balogun's effort, but a second-half hat-trick from Reo Griffiths and an additional tally from Paris Maghoma condemned coach Kwame Ampadu's side to defeat.

Balogun was Arsenal's player of the Premier League Cup, having emerged top scorer with three goals ahead of Bukayo Saka who netted two.

In the other semifinal, Korede Adedoyin's Everton narrowly lost 1-0 to a Chelsea side with Tariq Uwakwe and Faustino Anjorin in the starting line-up.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel