The Arsenal u18s came from behind twice to draw with Brighton on Saturday, with Amario Cozier-Duberry and Khayon Edwards involved in the goals again.
After naming an unchanged side in first two games of the u18 Premier League season, Dan Micciche did switch things up a little bit for Saturday’s game against Brighton.
Ovie Ejeheri had previously been involved with the u23s so far this season, but he dropped back to the u18s for a start in goal on this occasion. Josh Robinson also came in for Jack Henry-Francis, who played for the u23s in their victory over Spurs the previous day.
Unfortunately, Brighton took the early initiative, with Leigh Kavanagh converting a chance in the 11th minute. Arsenal had to rally, and Reuell Walters set up Amario Cozier-Duberry for his first league goal of the season in the 25th minute.
Cozier-Duberry has had an excellent month or so with Arsenal, and he set up one of Khayon Edwards’ goals in the previous game against West Brom, but it was good to see him getting on the scoresheet this time.
In the second half, Brighton retook the lead through Samy Chouchane, who had also assisted their opening goal. But that Cozier-Duberry and Edwards combination struck again late on, with the former setting up the latter for an 88th minute equaliser.
Edwards’ goal #AFC https://t.co/w5beUOnE3e pic.twitter.com/KuTBa5d07L
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) August 29, 2021
For Edwards, that was his fourth goal in three games this season, on top of his assist against West Brom. Whilst Cozier-Duberry now has a goal and a couple of assists, and he’s been a positive influence in general for the side in recent weeks.
The result leaves Arsenal a couple of points off the four teams still with perfect records in the u18 Premier League South after three games (Chelsea, Southampton, Fulham, and Crystal Palace).
The Gunners face Southampton in their next game on Saturday, 11th September at 12:30 BST, with the opportunity to claw one of those four teams back.
Arsenal u18 lineup vs Brighton
Ejeheri; Robinson, Foran, Bandeira, Jeffcott; Sweet, Flores, Sagoe Jr; Walters, Edwards, Cozier-Duberry
Substitutes
Davies, Roberts (for Sagoe Jr, 67), Kovacevic, Green, Quesada-Thorn (for Robinson, 45)