Arsenal U18s boss Jack Wilshere hands competitive debuts to Annous and Ibrahim

Arsenal U18s boss Jack Wilshere handed competitive debuts to two Golden Eaglets-eligible players Andre Annous and Ifeoluwa Ibrahim as the young Gunners were forced to a 2-2 draw by Southampton in the U18 Premier League on Saturday. 

Three other teenagers of Nigerian descent started for Arsenal, with goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo who is the younger brother of Arthur Okonkwo joined in the starting lineup by first year scholars Daniel Oyetunde and Cam'ron Ismail.

Arsenal got off to a dream start as Kamarni Ryan broke the deadlock inside ten minutes, firing home from twenty-five yards out but the Saints equalized ten minutes later when Nicholas Oyekunle netted his fourth of the season.

Wilshere made a change at the break, bringing on Ifeoluwa Ibrahim as a replacement for Anglo-Egyptian-Nigerian defender Cam'ron Ismail.

Arsenal had a brilliant start to the second half as Dan Casey restored their one-goal advantage at minute 47.

Wilshere's fourth change of the afternoon saw Gunners U16 sensation Andre Annous replace replace Oyetunde with around ten minutes of regulation time remaining. 

The result means Arsenal are six points behind West Ham United in the U18 Premier League standings southern section but do have two games in hand over the Hammers.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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