Chido Obi-Martin rubs salt in Arsenal wounds with four-word message after Gunners’ U-18s lose to Man Utd at Emirates Stadium in five-goal thriller that sees them miss out on FA Youth Cup semi-final

Manchester United’s Under-18s secured a 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, booking their place in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The visitors made the first breakthrough in the opening half, with Jack Fletcher, son of United legend Darren Fletcher, producing a moment of brilliance to put Manchester United ahead. Collecting the ball on the left side of the box, the attacking midfielder cut inside and unleashed a precise shot with his weaker right foot, beating Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter with a well-placed strike.

However, Arsenal responded before the break, with Louis Copley leveling the score. The young Gunners carried that momentum into the second half, eventually taking the lead when Max Dowman converted a penalty he had won himself.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

As time ticked away, it looked like Arsenal were on course to progress. But United refused to go down without a fight. With the game reaching its closing stages, Jaydan Kamason stepped up with a thunderous strike, ensuring the tie went to extra time. Samuel Lusale and Bendito Mantato were introduced from the bench to add fresh legs, and the two players combined to deliver the match-winning moment, sending United through to the semi-finals.

HOW DID CHIDO OBI-MARTIN REACT?

Heading into the match, much of the focus had been on Chido Obi, the talented striker who left Arsenal’s academy to join Manchester United last summer. His return to face his former club was anticipated as a major storyline, but he was not included in the squad as he was kept with United’s first team instead.

After United’s dramatic victory, Obi reacted on social media to Kamason’s post celebrating the team’s triumph. He wrote in all capital letters: “THANK YOU SO MUCH”, followed by several crying-laughing emojis in the comment section on Kamason’s post.

He also shared Arsenal’s Instagram post that confirmed the loss on his Instagram story.

 
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WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Having knocked out Arsenal, Manchester United will now turn their attention to the semi-finals, where they will face either Aston Villa or Plymouth Argyle on April 5. With a squad full of exciting young talent, United will be determined to go all the way in the FA Youth Cup, a competition they have won a record 11 times.