Smith hails "hungry" young Gunners

Under-18s coach Josh Smith was pleased with his side’s spirited performance against Southampton, securing their first three points of the season.

Maalik Hashi scored the only goal of the game inside 15 minutes with a neat finish off the post and our young Gunners held on despite late Saints pressure.

"I thought it was a very positive start to the game. We've been speaking to the boys about how they start and today we had seven corners in the first 10 minutes, so in terms of how we started the game, it was very pleasing.

"In the first half, the build-up, finding the free player, using the third man and the entries into the final third were probably the best that we've seen. We're trying to encourage Mal [Maalik Hashi] to shoot from distance and have our midfielders arrive late into the box to score, so really pleased for Mal today.

"Second half, I thought it was a game where, if we take our chances, it could be two, three or four. I think the decision-making in the second half, sort of in and around the box, not taking those chances, gave Southampton a little bit of hope. But in terms of how the lads reacted and how we had to defend, we're pleased."

Our strong start was enough to earn our first U18 Premier League South win of the campaign, with our work in front of goal proving decisive.

Josh was pleased with the way we controlled the opening half, while admitting there was room for greater consistency after the interval.

"I thought there was a clear style in terms of how we built up and how we entered the final third, especially in the first half. Some of our decision-making, whether to play through or round over, and the technical execution of the players, was clean today.

“However, in the second half, I was a little bit disappointed because when we did win the ball back, we needed to judge whether it was a fast moment to go or whether we needed to slow it down. It was a contrast between the two halves, but for us as staff, we need to demand more consistency across both halves.”

Despite a tricky start to the season, Josh has also been encouraged by the group's progress during the opening weeks, with performances suggesting results would come.

The academy coach was delighted to see their efforts beat a Southampton side that entered the game with three wins from three. "I see a hungry group of players," he said. "Every single day they come into training and bring a mindset that they want to get better. That's all we can ask for from these young scholars.

"I see a real kind of perseverance in sticking to what we're doing. Recently, players and staff have been feeling a little down with the results, but we believe we can continue what we're doing and turn those performances into good results. I'm really, really pleased for the boys today."