The Arsenal u21s drew with West Ham United on Friday night, with Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand making his first start back with the side.

After a couple of defeats in their last two games, the Arsenal u21s were looking to turn things around against West Ham United on Friday.

There were a couple of boosts on that front, with Amario Cozier-Duberry returning to the side after a while away with the first team, and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand making his first u21 start since his return from a loan to Hull City.

In a tight first half, Joel Ideho and Oulad M’hand probably went the closest to a goal, with the latter appearing to hurt himself taking a free-kick.

The midfielder then came off at the half-time break, though it’s not clear whether this was pre-planned or as a result of the knock he picked up in the first half.

Catalin Cirjan replaced Oulad M’hand for the second period, with the scores still level at 0-0.

Arsenal started to apply pressure after the break, with Cozier-Duberry narrowly failing to get on the end of an Ideho cross, before Ideho ended up giving the young Gunners the lead.

The winger scored his second goal in two starts with a shot off the post for 1-0.

Ideho had a few more chances to add to the lead, and Arsenal ended up paying the price for not increasing their advantage as Ben Cottrell conceded a penalty late on. Divin Mubama converted for 1-1.

Cozier-Duberry had a couple of late attempts to restore Arsenal’s lead, but it wasn’t to be, and they had to settle for a draw.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs West Ham United

Graczyk, Bandeira, Walters, Awe, Sousa, Smith, Cottrell, Oulad M’hand, Ideho, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr

Substitutes

Cirjan (for Oulad M’hand, 46), Benjamin (for Sagoe Jr, 87), Cooper, Jeffcott, Nichols

What’s next?

Some of the u21 team will drop down to the u18s for the FA Youth Cup match at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday, with Arsenal facing Cambridge United.

The u21s won’t be in action until the following Monday, February 27th, when they face Chelsea away from home.