New Arsenal signing Evan Mooney scored his first goal for the club with an audacious lob against Reading on Monday.
Mooney, who joined from St Mirren on Deadline Day in January, lobbed Reading goalkeeper Harrison Rhone from just inside his own half as Arsenal Under-21s cruised to a 4-1 win in Premier League 2.
The 18-year-old intercepted a pass on the halfway line before spotting Rhone off his line and sending an incredible strike over his head to open the scoring for Max Porter’s young Gunners.
Evan Mooney’s first goal for Arsenal is a worldie from just past the halfway line! A moment of brilliance for one of the academy’s January signings. pic.twitter.com/33unfLzgs3
— Will Balsam (@willbalsam) February 23, 2026
It was Mooney’s first goal in an Arsenal shirt since signing for a fee reported to be around £400,000 plus add-ons.
Mooney, who has already trained with the first team, played the full 90 minutes against Reading and was joined in the team by fellow Deadline Day signing Jaden Dixon.
Arsenal were captained by 16-year-old centre-back Marli Salmon, who has made three first-team appearances this season.
Arsenal’s youngsters sealed a comfortable victory against Reading with further goals from Andre Harriman-Annous, Ceadach O’Neill and an own goal from Reading captain Philip Duah.
Dixon, who is capable of playing at centre-back and right-back, signed from Stoke City as Arsenal made a late double move to bolster their academy options.
There was no place in the squad for Max Dowman as he closes in on a return from the ankle injury he suffered in November.
