According to Arsenal.com, Arsenal U18s secured their first win of the 2026-27 season on Saturday, beating Southampton 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Maalik Hashi. The result leaves the Young Guns unbeaten after two matches and yet to concede, following their opening goalless draw away to West Brom.
Josh Smith Oversees First Win as Interim Head Coach
Saturday’s match marked the first fixture since Josh Smith stepped up from his previous role as assistant coach to take charge of the U18 side on an interim basis, according to club reports. Smith’s squad opened their campaign earlier with a hard-fought draw at West Brom, where goalkeeper Jack Talbot made several critical saves to preserve a clean sheet.
Against Southampton, the team’s early pressure paid off quickly. Maalik Hashi settled the contest inside the opening 15 minutes by finishing neatly off the post. Interim coach Smith expressed satisfaction with how his players imposed themselves right from the opening whistle.
“I thought it was a very positive start to the game,” Smith told Arsenal.com. “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.”
Tactical Execution and Second-Half Challenges
Smith highlighted the tactical maturity shown by the young squad during the opening period. According to the interim coach, the build-up play, finding free players, utilizing third-man combinations, and entering the final third represented some of the best football seen from the group so far.
“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,” Smith added. However, the match shifted slightly after the break. Smith noted that missed opportunities in and around the box allowed Southampton to stay in the contest.
“Second half, I thought it was a game where, if we take our chances, it could be two, three or four,” Smith explained. “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.”
Pro Tip: Tracking Youth Academy Progress
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Arsenal U18s against Southampton?
Maalik Hashi scored the opening and winning goal inside the first 15 minutes of the match, finishing neatly off the post.
Who is currently managing the Arsenal U18 team?
Josh Smith is in interim charge of the U18 side after stepping up from his previous role as assistant coach, following updates from Arsenal.com.
What was the result of Arsenal U18s’ opening match of the season?
The Young Guns opened their Under-18 Premier League South campaign with a goalless draw away to West Brom.
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