Arsenal's Hale End products are flying as U18 star can't stop scoring

Arsenal fans have recently been buzzing about Max Dowman’s stunning emergence, but the Hale End production line rarely rests and there's another teenager who is quietlygoing about his business and building his profile.

Bukayo Saka remains the academy’s poster boy as he enters his seventh season in the first team, while Ethan Nwaneri continues to generate excitement after signing his new long-term contract at the age of 18.

Max Dowman is the name on everyone's lips in football after his fearless cameo against Leeds United, where he nearly scored before winning a penalty at just 15 years of age. His performance has only heightened the sense that Arsenal’s youth system is in a very good place.

While Dowman is stealing all of the headlines, Northern Irish forward Ceadach O’Neill is making plenty of noise of his own within the Arsenal ranks.

O’Neill’s Hot Streak

Signed from Linfield in 2024, O’Neill penned his first professional contract earlier this summer and has wasted no time showing why Arsenal moved for him. The 17-year-old has hit five goals in just three games at the start of the season, as Arsenal U18s have got off to a flyer.

That run includes a brace against Peterborough United in the Premier League Cup last night, another two-goal haul against Southampton last weekend and a goal on the opening game of the season against Norwich City U18s in a 2-1 victory.

🧊 Ice cold from Ceadach

📺 Watch highlights as #AFCU18 beat Peterborough United 4-0 in the group stages of the #PLCup 👇

— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) August 26, 2025

The most interesting part? O’Neill is doing it in a brand new role. Traditionally a winger, Arsenal coaches have shifted him into a central striker position this season and the early signs are hugely encouraging. The 17-year old is said to have grown taller over the summer and developed some more muscle, which he seems to be benefitting from.

What Next?

The next step for O’Neill will be consistency. Arsenal have seen it before with players who who built their reputation in the academy by scoring relentlessly at youth level. It was that sustained output for the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun that eventually earned them first-team chances.

If O’Neill can maintain his current form across the season, proving he can be relied upon to deliver goals regularly, he will put himself firmly on Mikel Arteta’s radar.