Arsenal U18s stormed back from two goals down to beat Watford U18s 4-2 to progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

In an entertaining match in front of 2,403 fans at Vicarage Road on Monday evening Jack Wilshere’s Young Guns overturned a two-goal deficit to stun the home side with a four-goal blitz in only 12 second half minutes.

Wilshere’s former Bournemouth colleague Charlie Daniels must have been dreaming of the last eight of this competition at the interval, after his young charges burst into a two-goal lead.

The Young Hornets took the lead as early as the second minute when Michael Adu-Poku made no mistake from close range to make it 1-0 with only 120 seconds gone.

On 13 minutes, Watford went 2-0 ahead when former Hitchin Town loanee Tobi Adeyemo doubled the lead, following quick feet and tricky play from No11 Adrian Blake who found space to square for his colleague to slot home from close range.

However, Wilshere steered his charges to a remarkable turnaround. Hooking the underperforming Seb Ferdinand at the break for Osman Kamara brought dividends.

The No15 won a penalty after referee Robert Clausen adjudged Blake to have fouled Osman in the box. Up stepped the consistently impressive Amario Cozier-Duberry to fire past Hornets keeper Gabriel Ortelli to make it 2-1.

Moments after the Gunners Premier League starlet Ethan Nwaneri replaced Jimi Gower, Kamara fired home to equalise at 2-2.

Michal Rosiak – who had such a torrid opening as part of the Gunners beleaguered backline early on – showed character to emphatically fire past the increasingly busy Ortelli to make the scoreline 3-2, after defensive colleague Lino Sousa had his shot parried by the Watford keeper.

Cozier-Dunberry capped a stunning comeback to make it 4-2 after netting his second spot kick of the half, as Arsenal made it four goals in only 12 minutes.

Seven times winners Arsenal – who last lifted the trophy in 2008-09 with Wilshere starring - will face Cambridge or Sheffield Wednesday at home in the last eight, with their opponents tie due to be played this Wednesday (February 8).

Judged on their form in this competition so far, with an emphatic 6-0 rout of Millwall, followed by a rousing 3-2 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park, Wilshere’s young side must be considered one of the favourites. 

Arsenal Player Ratings:

Noah Cooper: 7/10 - Unsettled by the early Watford onslaught but recovered well

Michal Rosiak: 7.5/10 - The Poland youth international was beaten all ends up on the byline by Hornets No11 Adrian Blake who squared for Tobi Adeyemo to make it 2-0. Deserved his goal for showing character as his team completely turned around the match in the second half

Lino Sousa: 7/10 - Another Arsenal defender who struggled to match the home side’s early ferocity. Powerful shot blocked prior to Rosiak’s goal

Reuell Walters: 7/10 - Has consistently impressed this season but will have learned plenty about positioning after Watford’s two close range goals that tore through the Gunners defence

Tino Quamina: 7/10 - Positioning was questionable for both goals but credit must be given to the home side for starting with such intensity

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7/10 - Eager to impress but must be careful when timing his challenges

Amario Cozier-Duberry: 9/10 - Caught the eye of many during his first team cameo in the pre-Christmas friendly vs Juventus at the Emirates and is always a lively presence. His cross for Bradley Ibrahim midway through the first half should have resulted in a goal, but keeper Ortelli thwarted the Gunners captain. Showed composure to net two second half spot kicks to change the game entirely

Bradley Ibrahim: 7/10 - Should have scored with a first half chance fashioned by Cozier-Duberry

Omari Benjamin: 6/10 - Booked for a late challenge on Hornets keeper Gabriel Ortelli

Jimi Gower: 5/10 - Combative but his decision making must be tighter. Replaced by Ethan Nwaneri early in the second half 

Seb Ferdinand: 5/10 - Hooked at the break after a disappointing first half

Substitutes: 

Osman Kamara: 8.5/10 - On for the ineffectual Ferdinand at the interval. Won the penalty after referee Robert Claussen adjudged Blake to have fouled the Gunners No15. Popped up with a fine finish to equalise

Ethan Nwaneri: 8/10 - A class act with a bright future ahead of him if he keeps working hard and progressing