Arsenal academy win Next Gen Cup in Beijing

Beijing — Arsenal’s Under-15s departed China on Sunday evening with silverware in hand after sweeping to the inaugural Next Gen Cup title with a perfect record of five wins from five matches.

The week-long tournament, staged for the first time in China, brought together three Premier League academies — Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolves — and five regional sides: Shijiazhuang Gongfu, Beijing FA, Zhejiang FC, the Hong Kong China U-16 Elite Selection Team and a fourth Chinese academy. Eight teams were split into two groups, with the group winners advancing directly to Saturday’s final at the Olympic Sports Centre.

Drawn in Group A, Arsenal quickly signalled their intent. Zach Van Der Straaten pounced on a loose ball from a corner to secure a 1-0 victory over Shijiazhuang Gongfu on 3 April, before Luis Munoz and Jaden Maghoma struck inside the opening three minutes to dismantle Aston Villa 3-0. Maghoma completed his brace shortly after the restart, effectively sealing top spot with a match to spare.

Needing only a draw in their final group outing, the young Gunners went one better, brushing aside Beijing FA 4-0 to finish Group A with maximum points and without conceding a goal.

That set up a showdown with Zhejiang FC, who had topped Group B. In front of a vocal crowd, Arsenal controlled possession and tempo, and two second-half finishes — the first from Maghoma, the second from Hudson Sando — secured a 2-0 win and the tournament trophy.

Craig Smith led the squad from the touchline, supported by his academy coaching staff and club legend Per Mertesacker, who attended his final overseas trip as academy manager before stepping down this summer.

Arsenal’s success in Beijing continues a strong season for the club’s youth programme and offers an early glimpse of several prospects, including Maghoma, Munoz and Sando, who each finished with multiple goals across the competition.