Arsenal's Folarin Balogun & West Ham Defender Alese Score In London Derby

Published: October 06, 2018

Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the U18 Premier League table after beating West Ham 2-1 in a London derby staged at Shenley Training Centre (Shenley, Hertfordshire) on Saturday afternoon.

Three players of Nigerian descent were named in the starting line-up, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and Folarin Balogun for Arsenal and West Ham center back Ajibola Alese.

Balogun scored the only goal of the first half, seven minutes into the contest after he was teed up by Trae Coyle.

The United States and England U18 international is the Gunners leading scorer at this level, with five goals.

He opened his account for the season against Aston Villa, netting a brace in a 4-2 win, before scoring against Chelsea and Norwich City.

A rare goal from Ajibola Alese restored parity for West Ham before Flaherty grabbed the game-winning goal with 83 minutes on the clock after coming off the bench.

Alese, Balogun and Okonkwo were named in the latest England U18 squad announced on Friday.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com