We were dominant in the clash at London Colney with ample opportunities to run away with the game, but the clinical nature of the opposition proved our downfall.

Having spurned at least six big chances in the first half, we did finally break the deadlock five minutes after the restart with Joel Vidal-Philbert’s cross-come-shot finding its way in, but Arsenal levelled within a matter of seconds through Mylo Bernard.

It was an even contest from then on but, as the Gunners lost both of their goalkeepers to injury late in the second half, you sensed there might be an opportunity to capitalise. However, it was the hosts who did that with a late moment of quality from Bernard to separate the sides.

We had completely dominated the first half on Arsenal’s turf yet somehow ended up going into the break level with the deadlock still intact.

Within the first two minutes, Oliver Boast had made his intent known having been denied by the latest of last-ditch challenges with 60 seconds not even on the clock before he struck the bar from close range a minute later.

Conall Glancy was impressive in the midfield, executing a number of high turnovers – one of which led to Joel Vidal-Philbert dragging narrowly wide on eight minutes.

Armend Muslika also looked enterprising, working well with Boast and Glancy to win the ball high up, especially on 12 minutes as he picked up a sloppy pass within the area but couldn’t quite divert it past goalkeeper Jack Talbot. Next up, recent arrival Kwasi Senyah, who was making his first start for out Under-18s was denied by a strong left hand from Talbot.

Minutes later, Muslika was denied again before Boast sent a header wide. Muslika then sent an effort over the bar when he found himself one-on-one with Talbot which summed up a frustrating first half.

We eventually found a much-deserved opener within five minutes of the restart with Talbot unable to deal with Vidal-Philbert’s cross however, within moments, the hosts went down the other end and were instantly level with Bernard steering in from inside the area.

We turned the screw once more and drew another two saves out of Talbot with Boast denied from the angle before a Muslika free-kick was tipped over the bar but it was not to be our day.

Arsenal suffered two late injuries with Talbot first stretchered off following a collision before his replacement Max Lo Presti was later also forced after another coming together. Winger Emerson Nwaneri picked up the gloves for the final 10 minutes before Arsenal found a winner later on with another effort from Bernard.

"We needed to be more ruthless with our decision making"

Under-18s coach Jamie Carr reflected on the game, "I thought the overall performance in the first half was just okay, even though we created all of those chances. Second half, I think we actually improved, we got way more control of the game. They struggled to have as much success in possession, which was pleasing for us - and we had a great chance just after half-time where we're through on goal and should score. Our general decision making in and around the goal wasn't good enough today and, again, we've just conceded two poor goals. We've spoke to the players. We need to get better at making sure that we keep the ball out of our net.

"The players can learn the value of taking these opportunities. In academy football, you might have six chances a game and if you only take one, it might be no problem because you know you have another one coming but the higher the level you go, the less opportunities you have and we needed to be more ruthless with our decision making."

Spurs: Jack, Sandiford, Jobling, Hanson, Tingey (c), Senyah (Offiah 78), Coffi Smith (Salter 67), Glancy, Boast (Beckles 78), Muslika, Muslika, Vidal-Philbert. Substitutes (not used): Cherifi, Agyekum, Evans, Olajide.