It was a sunny day at Arsenal’s training facility as our Under-18s kicked off their season away from home.

The line-up from Ed Brand featured a handful of first-year scholars as some were getting their first taste of youth team football.

It was a very quick start from our young Blues as captain Castledine pounced on a loose clearance from the Arsenal keeper. The midfielder composed himself in the middle of the park and lobbed into an empty net to give us the lead in under five minutes.

Despite the goal, the next 20 minutes of the game would be controlled by the home side as they missed some opportunities to level the score. On our end, a lofted attempt from Tyrique George dropped just over the bar.

We remained resolute in defence as the back four of Somto Boniface, Travis Akomeah, Harrison Murray-Campbell and Brodi Hughes were busy throughout the contest.

As the game wore on, our young Blues struggled to create anything clear-cut, getting into dangerous positions but failing to find the final pass.

Donnell McNeilly had the biggest chance of the second period with a lovely turn and finish which was saved well by substitute keeper Alexei Fedorushchenko.

It was the young Gunners who pushed hard for an equaliser in the game but they could not unlock our strong defence. Castledine had an opportunity to put the game beyond reach with a second but his shot on the swivel was saved by the Arsenal shot-stopper at point-blank range.

Despite the home side needing a goal, it was Brand's boys looking most likely to score another late one, with Frankie Runham’s shot saved by the right foot of the Arsenal keeper.

Our Under-18s will be back in action next weekend as they play their first home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday 20 August. Before then, the development squad host Fulham at Kingsmeadow on Monday evening and you can still purchase tickets online from just £3.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Curd; Brodie Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Travis Akomeah (Noah Hay 78), Somto Boniface; Kiano Dyer, Harrison McMahon; Leo Castledine (c), Tyrique George (Sam Rak-Sakyi. 78), Ato Ampah (Michael Golding 63); Donnell McNeilly (Frankie Runham 63).

Unused subs: Max Merrick.

Scorers: Leo Castledine 4.

Booked: Harrison McMahon 57.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Alex Kovacevic (Alexei Fedorushchenko 40); Josh Nichols, Tino Quamina, Maldini Kacurri, Elian Quesada (Luis Brown 75); Michal Rosiak, Bradley Ibrahim, Ethan Nwaneri; Amario Cozier-Duberry, Omari Benjamin (Romari Forde, Seb Ferdinand (Harrison Dudziak 66).

Unused subs: Cody Small.

Booked: Maldini Kacurri 58.