Arsenal youth scores 6th goal in 3 games in late title charge | OneFootball

Max Dowman was influential in another win for the Arsenal u18s on Saturday, as their late title charge continues to gain momentum.

Photo via Dowman on Instagram

Bouncing back from a few disappointing defeats in late February and early March, the Arsenal u18s have been on a fantastic run of recent form.

Adam Birchall’s side came into Saturday’s game on the back of four straight wins over Chelsea, Leicester City, Fulham, and Leicester again, hoping to make it five in a row against Norwich City.

Things didn’t initially go to plan, with Damari Daley giving the away side the lead in the 21st minute. Fortunately, it took less than 10 minutes for Arsenal to equalise, with Dan Casey slotting into the corner from a Louis Zecevic-John assist.

Photo via Zecevic-John on Instagram

Max Dowman had been lively in the first half, winning free-kicks, creating chances, and forcing saves, and his efforts were finally rewarded as he won a penalty in the 49th minute. The 15-year-old stepped up to the spot to score for the third consecutive game.

Zecevic-John won another penalty in the 76th minute, and Dowman converted once again to make it six goals and an assist in his last three matches.

The game finished 3-1, with Arsenal closing the gap to the top of the table.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal remain in fifth position in the u18 Premier League South, but just four points off top with two games in hand. The young Gunners are also capable of catching the second and third-place sides with their games in hand.

The only team currently beyond Arsenal’s reach is Aston Villa, one point ahead with a game in hand of their own. But the Gunners will have a chance to close that gap when they face Villa in May.

The next two fixtures will be decisive, with Arsenal facing second-place Crystal Palace away from home on Thursday, then hosting sixth-place Tottenham Hotspur at London Colney the following Tuesday.

Arsenal u18 lineup vs Norwich City

Ranson, Murisa, Chapman, Onyekachukwu, Ogunnaike, Hashi, Ibrahim, Bailey-Joseph, Dowman, Casey, Zecevic-John

Substitutes

O’Neill (for Casey, 67), Marciniak (for Bailey-Joseph, 83), Thompson (for Hashi, 83), Talbot, Ismail