Steve Bould’s Academy side lost out to London rivals West Ham as they finished runners up in the Southend United Youth Cup this weekend.
The Under 19s tournament, which Southend United set up last year, took place over two days with hosts Southend United being joined by Dutch champions FC Twente and the two London sides, Arsenal and West Ham United.
Arsenal were drawn against FC Twente in the first of the semi-finals on Saturday morning and the Gunners comfortably eased past their Dutch opponents, winning 3-1 after a goal from Zak Ansah and a double from Samir Bihmoutine saw them through.
The North Londoners took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark when Bihmoutine rose highest to head a looping effort off the underside of the crossbar and past the FC Twente goalkeeper. Arsenal were having the better of the game but it took until just before half time for Steve Bould’s side to double their lead, with new signing Kyle Ebecilio picking out Ansah who coolly poked home.
The Dutch outfit did rally after the break, with Chris Davids hitting the crossbar with a freekick before substitute Mate Szolga earned himself a penalty, and the 16 year old stepped up to slot home the spot kick himself.
But the Gunners sealed the victory with a penalty of their own after Phillip Roberts, another recent youth signing, received a pass from Ebecilio only to be fouled by the onrushing FC Twente goalkeeper. Samir Bihmoutine took on penalty taking responsibilities and found the corner of the net to see his side through to Sunday’s final.
In Saturday’s other semi-final, former Arsenal schoolboy Luke Chambers couldn’t prevent the hosts being knocked out by West Ham United on penalties after the game had finished 0-0 in normal time.
This set up a third place play-off on Sunday morning and incredibly Southend United again lost out on penalties, this time after a 2-2 draw having had a 2-0 lead pulled back by FC Twente, the Dutch champions then coming out 12-11 in a marathon penalty shoot out.
That left the final to be played and despite a poor start Arsenal took the lead against the Hammers when Callum Webb snatched a goal on the counter for his side. Jeffrey Monakana was impressing on the second day of the tournament and Arsenal had gained control of the tie but the game turned on its head when Subuola picked up the ball from a corner and fired home an equaliser.
The second half was a far less exciting affair and West Ham clinched the game’s decisive third goal when good play from Turgott led to an Arsenal defender finiding his own net. There was still time for an Arsenal comeback but it failed to materialise, although Phillip Roberts came closest to saving the game for his new side.
So second place for Arsenal as Steve Bould got an important chance to work with some of the younger players that he will be looking to bring into his Under 18 side in the coming season.
