The Arsenal u21s returned to the top of the league with a win on Sunday, with Marquinhos starring for the young Gunners.

Whilst the first team took on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, one member of the senior squad was lining up with the Arsenal u21s against Everton.

Marquinhos has moved back and forth between the first team and the youth team this season, helping him to get regular minutes when he can’t get on the pitch for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal’s u21 side had a big game against Everton on Sunday, with just one point between the sides and the chance to go top of the Premier League 2 with a win.

Catalin Cirjan opened the scoring early on, finishing calmly following an assist from Marquinhos for 1-0 in the seventh minute.

But after Amario Cozier-Duberry hit the bar with a chance to make it 2-0, Everton quickly battled back, with Isaac Price heading home an equaliser for 1-1.

Mauro Bandeira impressed in Arsenal’s game against the Leicester City u21s on Monday, and he was in good form again on Sunday. The midfielder finished off a cross from Amario Cozier-Duberry to give the Gunners another lead just before the half-hour mark.

But despite a couple of chances for Khayon Edwards before the break, Everton remained just one goal down at half-time.

Arsenal needed to press home their advantage in the second half, and Marquinhos did just that with a strong finish shortly after the restart.

The Brazilian winger then came off in the 62nd minute to a round of applause from the fans. The change was likely pre-planned, leaving him fresh for Brighton on Wednesday if called upon.

Substitute Charles Sagoe Jr had a chance to make it four in the 79th minute, but put his shot wide, and fellow sub Nathan Butler-Oyedeji also went close in the latter stages.

The match finished 3-1, propelling Arsenal back to the top, though with five teams within four points behind them.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Everton

Graczyk, Walters, Foran, Awe, Sousa, Smith, Bandeira, Cirjan, Marquinhos, Cozier-Duberry, Edwards

Substitutes

Henry-Francis (for Cirjan, 62), Sagoe Jr (for Marquinhos, 62), Butler-Oyedeji (for Edwards, 82), Quesada-Thorn (for Sousa, 83), Hillson

What’s next?

The Arsenal u21s are next in action at home to Monaco u21s on Monday, November 14th at 19:00 GMT, in the Premier League International Cup.

With the first team on their World Cup break at that point, it will be interesting to see whether the likes of Marquinhos continue to be involved with the u21s during that period.

Marquinhos now has four goals and two assists in his five appearances in the Premier League 2 for the Arsenal u21s.