Arsenal u18s lose 1st game after Jack Wilshere’s departure | OneFootball

Arsenal u18 boss Adam Birchall got off to a less than ideal start with an away defeat to Norwich City on Saturday, despite a brace from Dan Casey.

Jack Wilshere managing the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

With former Arsenal u18 manager Jack Wilshere leaving for a first-team role at Norwich City this week, it was somewhat poetic that Adam Birchall’s first game as the new Arsenal boss was away to Norwich on Saturday.

Arsenal were without a few key players on the day, with midfielder Max Dowman and goalkeeper Jack Porter away on international duty with the England u17s.

Theo Julienne was also called up by England, but he seemingly pulled out with an injury, making him unavailable for both club and country.

MALTA, MALTA: Max Dowman of England celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA U17 EURO Championship 2025 Qualifying Round match between England and Malta at Centenary Stadium Ta’ Qali on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Despite those absences, Arsenal started the brighter of the two teams, and the young Gunners took the lead in the 24th minute as Dan Casey placed a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area for 1-0.

Perhaps it should have been no surprise that the 17-year-old was the player to score the first goal of Birchall’s spell in charge. We covered Casey’s form earlier this week, with the teenager scoring six goals in five league games leading up to this weekend.

The same player then doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half, this time converting from the penalty spot just after the hour mark for 2-0. That’s eight goals in his last six league games now.

Dan Casey playing for the Arsenal academy (Photo via Casey on Instagram)

Birchall made a couple of changes to try and secure the result, with Joshua Ogunnaike and Teshaun Murisa coming on for Brayden Clarke and Marley Frohock in the immediate aftermath of Arsenal’s second goal.

But Norwich swiftly pulled a goal back through Lloyd Ofori Manteaw in the 69th minute, making for a nervy finish. In response to that goal, Alex Marciniak was brought on for Arsenal as a replacement for Brando Bailey-Joseph.

Norwich levelled in injury time, with Rio Mundle scoring to make it 2-2. They then compounded Arsenal’s woes with a third goal moments later to complete their 3-2 comeback win.

Arsenal u18 lineup vs Norwich City

Ranson, Owusu-Gyasi, Salmon, Clarke, Ismail, Ibrahim, Casey, Copley, O’Neill, Bailey-Joseph, Frohock

Substitutes

Ogunnaike (for Clarke, 65), Murisa (for Frohock, 65), Marciniak (for Bailey-Joseph, 70), Talbot, Zecevic-John

What’s next?

The Arsenal u18s are in action again next weekend, hosting Crystal Palace in another u18 Premier League clash. Some of the team will surely then be involved with the u19s in the UEFA Youth League match away to Inter Milan the following midweek.