The Arsenal u21s secured progression to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night with a comeback win over Northampton Town.

Playing their first game since the youth north London derby 10 days earlier, the Arsenal u21s were back in action for their final EFL Trophy group game away to Northampton Town.

After one win and one defeat in their opening two games, Mehmet Ali’s side’s hopes of progression were hanging in the balance. They needed to better Cambridge United’s result against Ipswich Town to go through – a game played simultaneously with Arsenal’s.

Arsenal named a relatively strong side, with Karl Hein and Matt Smith dropping down to start after their recent first-team squad appearances.

But Khayon Edwards and Catalin Cirjan were unavailable, with Edwards set to make the Europa League squad on Thursday and Cirjan possibly in line to join him.

Match report

The size of Arsenal’s challenge only increased early in the first half, as Northampton’s Joshua Tomlinson lost his marker on a corner before powering a header into the net for 1-0.

Northampton continued to have the better chances in the first half, and it took a good save from Hein from another header to keep Ali’s side just one goal behind – despite the young Gunners dominating the possession.

Arsenal started to turn that dominance of the ball into good chances in the second half, with Charles Sagoe Jr going close and forcing a corner, and Zach Awe turning into the net from the resulting set-piece for 1-1.

The cross from Smith had taken a significant deflection and Awe was under plenty of pressure from the defender, but he managed to battle ahead of his man to score.

After that, Arsenal took control of the game, knowing they’d likely need another goal. Though Cambridge were still drawing 0-0 at this point, Ipswich had a man sent off in the first half, so it seemed only a matter of time until the hosts scored.

Ali sent on youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly (16) and Ethan Nwaneri (15) to add some creative impetus, but it was the starters who ended up breaking the deadlock.

Lino Sousa played a nice ball into midfield for Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who had dropped deep to receive the ball.

Butler-Oyedeji turned and found Amario Cozier-Duberry on the right-hand side, who cut in and used the defender’s body to disguise a shot into the top corner for 2-1.

Just when it looked like progression might be secured, Cambridge took the lead in their game to leave Ipswich, Arsenal, and Cambridge all on six points in the standings.

Ipswich had by far the best goal difference, whilst Arsenal and Cambridge were exactly level. Ali’s side had the advantage on goals scored, but one Cambridge goal could send them out.

Fortunately, Cambridge couldn’t find a second, meaning the Gunners just had to hold onto their win. Northampton applied late pressure, but just as it looked like Arsenal were on the ropes, they sprung a deadly counter-attack.

Butler-Oyedeji received the ball from a clearance and carried it up the field, before playing it out to substitute Joel Ideho on the left. Ideho played a reverse ball back to an overlapping Butler-Oyedeji, who curled a shot into the net with his first touch.

The match ended 3-1 moments later, and Arsenal made it through to the round of 32.

Final thoughts

Butler-Oyedeji has to take credit as Arsenal’s star man in this competition so far, scoring three goals and assisting one in the opening three games. Only Thomas Cannon of Everton (three goals, two assists) can better that tally across all 64 teams.

Although they weren’t involved in the goals, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly did have a major impact after coming on. They gave Arsenal some inspiration and control, and both clearly have big futures with the academy and beyond in the coming years.

Cozier-Duberry scored an excellent goal, but there will be some concern over the fact he went off injured almost immediately afterwards.

Last but not least, scoring the equalising goal on top of a game-high eight clearances, as well as three interceptions, five tackles, and 17 of 20 duels won, Awe put in a mammoth display at the back.

Arsenal join Everton, Wolves, Manchester United, and Chelsea as the u21 teams to confirm progression to the knockouts so far. Manchester City and Leeds United could both still join them, as their final games are yet to be played.

But Liverpool, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Brighton, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Southampton have all already been eliminated.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Northampton Town

Hein, Walters, Foran, Awe, Sousa, Henry-Francis, Ibrahim, M. Smith, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr, Butler-Oyedeji

Substitutes

Lewis-Skelly (for Ibrahim, 62), Nwaneri (for Sagoe Jr, 62), Ideho (for Cozier-Duberry, 75), Kacurri (for Butler-Oyedeji, 90+6), Hillson Taylor-Hart

What’s next?

The Arsenal u21s play again next Monday, facing Leicester City away from home in the Premier League 2 on October 24th at 19:00 BST.

The EFL Trophy knockout draw won’t be for a while yet, with group games still to be played until November 8th.