Crystal Palace Under-18s suffered a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the U18 Premier League South on Saturday, despite producing another encouraging performance at Sobha Realty Training Centre.
The Young Eagles created opportunities and enjoyed spells of control against the Young Gunners, with Donte Martin seeing a goal ruled out and Raihaan Anderson also striking the crossbar.
However, goals from Emerson Nwaneri and Callan Hamill at crucial moments ultimately proved decisive as Javier Alonso’s side were left empty-handed in North London.
After a flying start to 2026/27 with victory at West Ham, the Young Eagles endured four consecutive defeats. Improved performances against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, however, offered encouragement ahead of a challenging trip to Arsenal.
Alonso made two changes to 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 start for the U18s.
Donning the new Eagle Wings kit for the first time this season, the Young Eagles created the first opening when a spell of pinball unfolded inside the Arsenal penalty area, ending with Martin’s close-range header being deflected over.
Approaching the quarter-hour mark, both sides were still settling into the contest, with possession evenly shared and neither able to establish a clear foothold.
Moments later, however, Palace began to turn the screw. AJ Greaves pulled the ball back into the path of Anderson to the right of the penalty area, and with acres of space, the No. 10 fired towards the far post, only to see his effort crash back off the crossbar…
Midway through the half, Alonso’s side had taken control, with their intense high press proving particularly effective.
Greaves was increasingly influential down the right and, after floating a delivery into the area, saw a rising O’Keefe force a diving save from the Arsenal ‘keeper with his header.
A few minutes later, Arsenal offered their first warning when the onrushing Jaden Maghoma diverted a low cross towards goal, but Benetton was equal to it, making the save low to his left.
On 31 minutes, Arsenal struck against the run of play. Maghoma was threaded through in behind and cut the ball back for the onrushing Emerson Nwaneri, who prodded it past a diving Benetton.
The visitors looked for an immediate response, with Dotun Lamidi’s trickery creating the space for a delightful cross, but nobody in red and blue could get on the end of it.
Palace were forced to weather a sustained spell of pressure from the Young Gunners, with a succession of attacks and set-pieces threatening to extend Arsenal’s advantage.
Benetton was called into action again when Charlie Purdy’s fierce, low volley from distance looked destined for the corner, but the Palace ‘keeper got across to make an excellent save.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and territory as the interval approached, but Alonso’s side held firm to ensure they went into the break just one goal behind.
Just a few minutes after the restart, Palace thought they had levelled when Martin found the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out after the forward was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up.
Greaves then drove down the right flank before flashing a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, with the ball grazing the head of Kayden Moses.
The Young Eagles had continued to produce a strong team performance, but with Arsenal still holding their lead, Alonso’s side needed someone to seize the initiative and drag Palace level.
Instead, the hosts began to threaten at the other end. On the hour mark, Nwaneri squared for Luis Munoz, who drove a low effort narrowly wide of the post.
Unsurprisingly, Alonso turned to his bench, introducing Toby Williams – the August Goal of the Month winner – and Daniel Owoade as he looked to inject fresh impetus into Palace’s attack and capitalise on the pressure building around the Arsenal goal.
On 68 minutes, Martin timed his run perfectly, but Anderson’s through ball came a fraction too late, with the assistant’s flag going up for offside. It looked extremely tight.
After a brief stoppage for Lamidi to receive treatment, Greaves again provided Palace’s main threat, bursting down the right and pulling the ball back, but Arsenal scrambled it clear.
Palace had produced another encouraging performance but lacked the final touch in front of goal, and Arsenal made them pay again in the 82nd minute. A quick throw-in caught the visitors off guard, allowing Callan Hamill to fire home from just outside the box.
The second goal proved decisive, with Palace’s promising spells ultimately going unrewarded as the big moments went Arsenal’s way.
Five minutes of added time passed before the referee brought the contest to a close, with Palace left to reflect on another frustrating afternoon.
The Young Eagles will look to bounce back next Saturday when Fulham visit the Academy in the U18 Premier League South (11:00 BST).
Palace XI: Benetton (GK); Monk, Mulvenna, Kalembo (Owoade, 62); Lamidi (Bonsu-Amako, 81), Fasida (Lee, 81), O’Keefe, Greaves ©; Anderson, Martin, Moses (Williams, 61).
Subs not used: Speroni (GK), Baah, Shittu.
Arsenal XI: Lupinski (GK), Hamill, Abubakar, McCarron, Mbala, Murisa, Munoz (Phillips, 82), Purdy, Maghoma, Hashi (Donczew, 63), Nwaneri (Sesay, 63).
Subs not used: Stachow, Lo Presti, Owusu-Gyasi, Sampang.
