U18PL: Annous scores one, assists two as Arsenal edge West Ham in five-goal thriller

Versatile Nigerian winger Andre Annous was the star of the show as Arsenal beat West Ham United 3-2 in the opening weekend of the U18 Premier League.

In the clash staged at Little Heath on Saturday morning, eight players of Nigerian descent started from the off, with Arsenal trio Annous, Ife Ibrahim and Josh Ogunnaike joined by West Ham's Ryan Oyebade,  Elisha Sowunmi, Emeka Adiele, Chinaza Nwosu and Andre Dike.

The young Gunners, coached by club legend Jack Wilshere, were the better team in the opening minutes and could have taken the lead but Annous' shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Ceadach O’Neill put Arsenal ahead in the 20th minute, seizing an opportunity from a counter-attack, after he was set up by Annous.

However, the teams were level a the break as Elisha Sowunmi converted a spot kick won by  Emeka Adiele, who scored his first goal in the Premier League 2 against Brighton & Hove on Friday.

Ife Ibrahim made a brilliant goal-line clearance shortly after the interval to deny the Hammers an equalizer.

In the 58th minute, Annous restored Arsenal's lead after combining with Marciniak and the Nigerian starlet turned from scorer to provider fourteen minutes later, laying a brilliant cross to O’Neill, who finished for his second goal of the game. 

Riley Hargan reduced the arrears in the 85th minute to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy ending but the young Gunners were able to hold on to victory. 

Arsenal return to U18 Premier League action on August 24, hosting Chelsea in another London derby at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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