Hassan Sulaiman’s Under-18s returned from the September international break with an away trip across the capital to face Arsenal, who like the Blues had made a strong start to the season.

Chelsea struck first through clinical forward Ezenwata, who netted his third goal of the 2025/26 campaign, converting from close range after Arsenal failed to deal with a set-piece - an area where the young Blues have impressed early this season.

However, the lead lasted only 12 minutes as Arsenal hit back. A cross into the box was kept alive, and Callan Hamill headed home from close range, bringing the game level at 1-1 at the interval.

After the restart, Chelsea worked hard and dominated possession, pushing forward in search of a winner. Sulaiman introduced fresh legs from the bench, but despite several promising moments, we were unable to find the decisive finish.

At the final whistle, Chelsea took a hard-earned point back to Cobham from Saturday afternoon’s fixture.

Quiet opening

Chelsea settled quickly into possession in the early stages, moving the ball confidently and probing the Arsenal defence for a way through.

It was encouraging to see Charlie Holland back in the starting XI, making his first Under-18s appearance of the 2025/26 campaign after injury. He linked up well with Reggie Walsh in midfield, helping us advance upfield and apply pressure, although the opening 10 minutes remained cagey with few clear chances for either side.

Arsenal looked to threaten on the break through striker Ceadach O’Neill, who burst forward with intent, but our commanding defender Dante Waite showed excellent recovery pace, getting back to make a superb block inside the box and snuff out the danger.

We created the first real opportunity of the half when Walsh played a neat pass to Calvin Diakite, who delivered a looping ball into the area. Ezenwata rose highest to meet it, but his header bounced just wide of the post.

The breakthrough!

The Blues’ persistence was rewarded as we took the lead from a set-piece. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen delivered a dangerous corner that Arsenal keeper Jack Porter failed to hold, spilling the ball into the six-yard box. Ezenwata reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to tuck home and give Chelsea the lead.

We almost doubled our advantage shortly after. Kavuma-McQueen drilled in a fierce low effort that Ezenwata slid to meet, but he couldn’t quite connect, the ball flashing just wide.

The momentum was with Chelsea as we continued to press forward, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli linking well with the lively Ezenwata in attack, though that finishing touch eluded us.

However, the hosts reminded us of their threat on the counter. O’Neill again carried the ball forward and picked out Josh Ogunnaike, who found space inside the box. His strike looked dangerous but drifted wide, allowing Freddy Bernal in goal a sigh of relief.

Pulled back level

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, the Gunners found an equaliser against the run of play. A free-kick was whipped into the penalty area and, after we failed to clear our lines, the ball was kept alive at the back post.

Arsenal’s Hamill was left unmarked and nodded home from close range to bring the game back to 1-1, setting up a tense battle in the second half of this London derby.

The Blues came out for the second half with real intent to restore the lead. Sustained pressure forced an Arsenal defender into a poor back-pass, which Sol Gordon pounced on. The winger raced through and fired low, but Porter in the Arsenal goal reacted quickly to push the effort away.

We kept the momentum going, with Kavuma-McQueen unleashing a venomous strike from distance that just cleared the crossbar - another sign of our determination to go back in front.

Substitute Mathis Eboue made an immediate impact, stretching the Arsenal defence and carrying real threat out wide. He drove down the flank before cutting inside and drilling a powerful low strike across the face of goal, narrowly missing as he looked to make his mark on the score sheet.

Kobe Babrour also brought energy and creativity after coming on. He showed sharp footwork inside the penalty area, cut inside and struck at goal, but Porter did well to make the save.

As the derby moved into the final 10 minutes, Arsenal carved out another chance. O’Neill unleashed a powerful strike that looked destined for the back of the net, but a vital Chelsea defensive intervention kept the scores level and denied the hosts a late lead.

Moments later, the action swung straight up the other end. Goalscorer Ezenwata charged into space with a brilliant turn and looked poised to snatch a dramatic winner. He drove a low right-footed strike towards goal, but the effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

At the final whistle, the Blues took a hard-earned point back to Cobham after our Saturday afternoon display.

What is next

Chelsea Under-18s return to league action next Saturday when we host Brighton & Hove Albion at Cobham. Kick-off is at 11am and you can watch the match live on the Official Chelsea App and website.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Freddy Bernal; Lewi Richards, Dante Waite, Olutayo Subuloye (c), Calvin Diakite; Charlie Holland (Isaac Badu h-t), Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh (Mathis Eboue 65); Sol Gordon, Chizaram Ezenwata, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Kobe Barbour 65)
Unused subs: Isaac Collinson, Harry McGlinchey
Scorer: Ezenwata 25

Arsenal: Jack Porter, Abraham Owusu-Gyasi (Marley Frohock 83), Samuel Chapman, Teshaun Murisa, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Callan Hamill (c), Kyran Thompson (Brando Bailey-Joseph 59), Theo Julienne (Bowen Phillips 90+4), Ceadach O'Neill, Maalik Hashi, Josh Ogunnaike
Unused subs: Jack Talbot, Joshua Tahou
Scorer: Hamill 37
Booked: Ogunnaike 31, Onyekachukwu 43