Folarin Balogun hit a brace for the u23s as they swept past Manchester United 3-1 on Saturday with a side captained by Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal u21s 3 Manchester United u23s 1

Arsenal’s u23s made it three league wins in a row with a 3-1 home win over Manchester United which leaves them in third place in Premier League 2, just one point behind Brighton and Manchester City, but with a goal difference of 0 compared to Brighton and City’s 7.

Both Balogun and Eddie Nketiah started for the u23s and it took Balogun just one minute to score his first goal against a United side that featured Phil Jones and Dean Henderson.

Balogun netted again five minutes before the break, sending Arsenal in to half-time 2-0 up.

At the break, Nketiah, who had been captain, was replaced by Mika Biereth, a summer addition from Fulham.

United pulled one back in the 63rd minute through Shoretire but a 90th minute strike from Charlie Patino made sure of the points for Arsenal.

Next up for the u23s is a league game against Chelsea (a) on 19 September with the venue still not confirmed.

Southampton u18s 3 Arsenal u18s 3

Arsenal’s u18s, meanwhile, drew 3-3 with Southampton.

Although they went behind after 28 minutes, they went into half-time 2-1 up thanks to goals from Amario Crozier-Duberry, and Kahyon Edwards, who has now scored five goals in the last three games and has eight goals in the u18s nine games this season (including pre-season).

Edwards second of the game gave Arsenal a 3-1 lead just after the break but it was an advantage they couldn’t hold on to.

Luke Pearce made it 3-2 and, although it looked like the youngsters had done enough to see out the game, a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time saw them denied a win.

Although they will no doubt be disappointed to have been 3-1 up and only draw the game 3-3. the u18s are still undefeated this season with a record that reads P4 W2 D2 L0 F13 A9.

Next up for the u18s is Birmingham City on 25/9/21 at the Arsenal training centre.