Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners over our Under 18s in their Premier League Cup opener at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Alex Marciniak bundled home Josiah King’s delivery within the opening five minutes of play, before Ceadach O’Neill struck twice after the break to put the hosts in the driver's seat.
Brando Bailey-Joseph added a fourth late on, to send our PL2 opposition to the top of the standings after match week one.
The Posh youngsters put in a professional performance in north London, settling well after MARCINIAK sent the ball past Ben Westcott in the opening minutes to give the Gunners the lead.
Westcott became accustomed to shutting down Arsenal’s attacks, saving low in the first instance to deny O’Neill, who got his shot away inside a crowded penalty area.
Kyran Thompson then connected well with his teammate to piece together a move, but it was nothing that troubled our number one.
Jimmy Unwin’s side built back into the game, with Bolu Shofowoke coming close after working his way into the Gunners’ danger area.
But it was the home side who would have the fair share of opportunities, threatening twice when Bailey-Joseph and Thompson both missed the mark.
The ball was quickly knocked free to Theo Julienne after the break, whose drive was blocked on the line by Nathaniel Joseph.
Arsenal continued to break forward; this time Maalik Hashi was kept out at full reach by Westcott. O’NEILL added a second on 56 minutes, beating Westcott after Bailey-Joseph squared the Arsenal man.
Posh had no time to settle before the Gunners’ number nine found their third, with O'NEILL finishing into the bottom corner four minutes later.
Maxim Mlityalwa responded at the other end, looking to pull our youngsters back into the contest, but his 20-yard strike was routine for Jack Porter.
Julienne’s header then took a nick on its way to goal, with Westcott reacting quickly to push the ball onto the woodwork – before it was then our turn to attack once more.
Nathan Aikins knocked the ball down to Harry Bushell, who in turn lashed his shot at the surface, going over the crossbar.
BAILEY-JOSEPH was slipped in to round up the hosts’ afternoon work – but, the result shouldn’t take anything away from the youngsters, who battled well throughout.
Posh: Westcott, Bushell, Joseph, Christoudias, Aikins, Arber (sub Sudakaran 46min), McWilliams-Marcano, Mlityalwa, Shofowoke, Fitzpatrick (sub Dagne 82min), Simmons (sub Crozier 82min). Unused subs: Al Sammour, Norville.
Half-time: Arsenal 1-0 Posh Under 18s
Full-time: Arsenal 4-0 Posh Under 18s