The Arsenal u21s climbed to the top of the Premier League 2 table with a win away to Leicester City on Monday, with Khayon Edwards returning.
The Arsenal u21s brought a couple of players back into the mix against Leicester City on Monday night.
Khayon Edwards had been with the senior squad for their last few matches following his injury comeback, but on Monday he made his first u21 start since August.
Similarly, Catalin Cirjan played his first u21 fixture since October 1st, having also been called up for the first-team matchday squad in the intervening weeks.
It’s not impossible both players are called up to first-team training or the senior trip to PSV later this week. It was notable that they each came off around the hour mark. But getting them a game in the meantime seemed like the smart thing to do.
Match report
Back in the starting lineup after so long out, Edwards didn’t waste much time getting on the scoresheet.
In the 16th minute, Cirjan received the ball in midfield and played a one-two with Nathan Butler-Oyedeji. Cirjan lifted a ball over the top to get Butler-Oyedeji in behind in space, and the winger crossed for Edwards to bundle home from close range.
Cirjan then had a good chance of his own to double Arsenal’s lead, set up by Reuell Walters, but his shot was deflected wide.
Arsenal largely had the better of the first half, but Will Alves was providing a threat for the hosts, with a couple of strong runs leading to Leicester City shots.
Alves got the goal his performance probably deserved after the break, with the ball breaking to Leicester and the 17-year-old curling in from outside the box.
Arsenal then made their changes, taking off Edwards and Cirjan with Thursday’s PSV trip possibly in mind, which initially helped to take some of the sting out of their performance.
Leicester certainly had the next best chance, with Chris Popov firing wide when well placed. But Arsenal rallied and pushed for a late winner in the final 10 minutes.
Forcing a corner as Leicester stretched to cut out a nice run from Charles Sagoe Jr, Arsenal then won a penalty as Popov handled from the resulting set-piece.
Captain Matt Smith stepped up to take the spot-kick and it was a confident effort, fired into the top-left corner and beating the goalkeeper – who went the right way.
Looking to reclaim a point in the final five minutes, Leicester forced three big saves from Karl Hein, but Arsenal came away with the three points.
You can watch the full highlights from the game on Leicester’s website, here.
Final thoughts
With this latest win, Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League 2 table ahead of Crystal Palace and Manchester City, who drew their last game against each other to drop one point behind Mehmet Ali’s side.
That position at the top will come under immediate threat next week, however, as the Gunners host Palace on October 31st.
It was certainly a major boost to have Edwards and Cirjan back in the side, adding quality to the midfield and the front line. We’ll see if they’re available again for that top-of-the-table clash next week.
In goal, it was another strong performance from Hein, who is earning his spot as the first-team squad’s third-choice keeper.
Finally, a mention should go to Butler-Oyedeji, who had to cover at centre-forward while Edwards and Billy Vigar were both out. He scored five and assisted one during their absences, and he set up Edwards’ goal on Monday after returning to the wing.
Arsenal u21 lineup vs Leicester City
Hein, Walters, Foran, Awe, Sousa, Smith, Henry-Francis, Cirjan, Cozier-Duberry, Edwards, Butler-Oyedeji
Substitutes
Ideho (for Edwards, 61), Bandeira (for Cirjan, 62), Sagoe Jr (for Henry-Francis, 81), Hillson, Kacurri
What’s next?
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at Meadow Park on Monday, October 31st at 19:00 BST. After six consecutive away games, the Gunners are now set for four home matches in a row, so that should make a nice change.