The scoreline doesn’t reflect what was a spirited performance from the Young Eagles, with the big moments ultimately going Arsenal’s way - heeads up, lads!

Both Arsenal goals have come at particularly damaging moments, with Palace enjoying spells of ascendancy before being punished. The scoreline feels harsh on the Young Eagles, who have more than played their part, but football can be cruel – and today, the big moments are falling Arsenal’s way - frustratingly...

After another double change from Palace, Arsenal make it two when a quick throw catches Palace out, allowing Callan Hamill to fire home from just outside the box.

After a brief stoppage for Lamidi to receive treatment, Greaves – increasingly Palace’s main attacking threat – bursts down the right and pulls the ball back, but once again Arsenal scramble it clear.

Anderson slips Martin through on goal with a perfectly timed run, but the assistant’s flag goes up for offside. That looked extremely tight – Palace should be level!

Unsurprisingly, Alonso turns to his bench, introducing Toby Williams – the August Goal of the Month winner – and Daniel Owoade as he looks to inject fresh impetus into Palace’s attack and capitalise on the pressure building around the Arsenal goal.

Greaves drives down the right before flashing a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, with the ball grazing the head of Kayden Moses as it flashes beyond him.

Palace have the ball in the back of the net, but Donte Martin is adjudged to have handled it.

We go into the break trailing by a single goal. Despite weathering a spell of heavy attacking pressure in the latter stages of the half, Palace can feel hard done by to be behind after a very strong opening 25 minutes.

Arsenal strike against the run of play. Maghoma is threaded in behind and cuts the ball back for the onrushing Emerson Nwaneri, who prods it past a diving Benetton to give the hosts the lead.

Arsenal offer their first warning as the onrushing Jaden Maghoma diverts a low cross towards goal, but Benetton is equal to it, making a low save to his left.

Greaves floats a delivery from the right, and a rising Arthur O’Keefe gets up to it, forcing a diving grab from the ‘keeper.

Palace begin to turn the screw. AJ Greaves pulls the ball back into the path of Raihaan Anderson to the right of the penalty area, and with acres of space, the winger fires towards the far post... only to see his effort crash back off the crossbar.

Approaching the quarter-hour mark, both sides are still settling into the contest, with possession evenly shared and neither able to establish a clear foothold.

Donning the new Eagle Wings kit for the first time this season, Palace create the first opening as a spell of pinball unfolds inside the Arsenal penalty area, ending with Donte Martin’s close-range header being deflected over.

Don’t forget, you can watch this morning’s game LIVE on Palace TV+ as the Young Eagles bid to return to winning ways in the U18 Premier League South!

Here we go! Both sides emerge from the tunnel and line up to greet one another before kick-off. One final handshake, then it’s time to get down to business. Come on, Palace!

This morning’s U18s clash at Arsenal is LIVE on Palace TV+. You can also follow every kick, chance and goal right here on the match feed.

The warm-ups are underway! Both teams are out on the pitch, getting stretched and getting their final touches in, while the goalkeepers work through their preparations. We’re not far away now…

The Young Eagles compete in the U18 Premier League South, the top level of youth football for Category One academies in England. The competition is split into northern and southern sections, with Palace playing 30 matches against 15 southern opponents, home and away. The southern section now features 16 clubs, following AFC Bournemouth and Brentford’s promotion to Category One status and Leicester City’s move to the northern section. At the end of the campaign, the two section winners meet to decide the national champions.

Arsenal secured their first U18 Premier League South victory of the season last weekend, beating Southampton 1-0 at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Maalik Hashi’s first-half strike proved decisive, finding the far corner via the woodwork to end Southampton’s unbeaten start. The result lifted Arsenal to 10th, having previously drawn 0-0 with West Bromwich Albion before defeats to Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Javier Alonso makes two changes from the side that surrendered a two-goal lead against Spurs, with Lucca Benetton returning in goal and Under-16 Arthur O’Keefe making his first competitive U18s start.

The Young Eagles made a winning start to 2026/27 with a 3-1 victory at West Ham United, but have since suffered four consecutive defeats across league and cup competition. Performances have improved, though, with Palace pushing Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and, most recently, league leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Alonso’s side led Spurs 2-0 through a Donte Martin brace last weekend, only to eventually lose 4-2.

Good morning and welcome to Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre – or Hail End, as it’s also known. The Under-18s take on the Young Gunners in the U18 Premier League South, the top level of U18 football for Category One academies. Kick-off is at 11:00 BST – don’t miss it!