HIGHLIGHTS | Arsenal 4-2 Reading | U18 | Roberts (2), Foran, Edwards

Arsenal put on a dominant display to beat Reading 4-2 at London Colney on Saturday morning.

Dan Micciche handed just a second appearance at under-18 level to 14-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and it was Arsenal's forward who looked brightest in the opening exchanges, causing all sorts of trouble for the visitors' defence.

Nwaneri was rewarded for his fast start when he crossed for Mathaeus Roberts to open the scoring, Arsenal  midfielder heading home from close range to register his first goal at this level.

Roberts went close to adding a second moments later, working space for himself in the box and getting his shot off, but Boyd Beacroft was on hand to block his goalbound effort on the line.

Arsenal's playmaker got his brace midway through the first half, Nwaneri picking out his run with a well-timed through ball and Roberts made no mistake with the finish, firing low past Tom Norcott.

The away side pulled one back against the run of play just before the break, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan popping up inside the box and beating Alex Kovacevic.

Arsenal started the second half brightly and added a third after Reading failed to clear Mauro Bandeira's corner and Taylor Foran was free at the back post to tap in.

Khayon Edwards scored Arsenal's fourth and his 17th goal of the season in the closing stages, coolly rounding Norcott after some good work from Billy Vigar in the buildup.

Caylan Vickers took advantage of a defensive mishap deep into stoppage time to add another for the visitors, but it failed to take the shine off Arsenal's performance.