£1.1m 15yo helps Arsenal beat Chelsea to academy trophy | OneFootball

£1.1m 15-year-old Kyran Thompson was among the scorers as Arsenal won this season’s u16 Premier League Cup against Chelsea last week.

Photo via Thompson on Instagram

Arsenal’s u16s won the Premier League Cup final against Chelsea last week, getting revenge on the Blues for their previous defeat in the final of the same competition back in 2019.

After a tight first half, Kyran Thompson gave Arsenal the lead, tapping home a cross from Josh Tahou. Thompson had also hit the woodwork earlier in the half.

Josiah King and Marley Frohock added to Arsenal’s lead after the break, and an injury-time consolation from Chelsea wasn’t enough to stop the young Gunners from lifting the trophy as 3-1 winners.

Photo via Thompson on Instagram

Though it was certainly a team effort to win the final over one of the best academies in the country, Arsenal will be particularly pleased with Thompson’s contribution.

The club have invested heavily in the 15-year-old already, fighting off competition from Manchester City, Spurs, and Chelsea themselves to sign him for a fee of £1.1m from West Ham United last year.

Arsenal strengthened their case by also offering Thompson a full scholarship at St. John’s Senior School. It worked, and the Gunners are now reaping the rewards.

Photo via Thompson on Instagram

Despite his age, Thompson has already made his Arsenal u18 Premier League debut, coming on in the win over Norwich City last month. Now he has an u16 cup final goal and a winner’s medal.

Technically still an u15 player, Thompson is following in the footsteps of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman by playing above his age group at Arsenal. And not just playing, but having a significant impact.

It’s been a positive first season for the former West Ham youngster, and he’ll want to push on again next year.