Arsenal had to settle for a draw away to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, despite finally ending their goal drought.

The Arsenal u21s received one boost ahead of the game, with Khayon Edwards passed fit to start the match. Edwards had made a substitute appearance on his return from injury last time out.

But there were also plenty of absentees on the day. With the game taking place over the international break, Arsenal were without many of their top talents due to international call-ups.

Amario Cozier-Duberry, Lino Sousa, Reuell Walters, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri were all called up by England at various levels, whilst Omari Benjamin is with the Wales u19s. All six players have represented the Arsenal u21s this season.

More generally, Arsenal haven’t been on a good run in recent times, with no goals and four consecutive defeats going into the trip to Blackburn.

But playing against the Premier League 2’s 13th-place side, this was a chance for a response.

First half

Perhaps that poor Arsenal run and the absentees led to some nerves in the very early stages, with Blackburn pressing high and giving the away side some trouble.

But with less than 10 minutes on the clock, Arsenal ended their recent scoring drought.

Captain Matt Smith picked up the ball in midfield and played a pass through the lines to find Charles Sagoe Jr on the left. The winger cut inside, before wrong-footing the goalkeeper with a shot to the near post from the edge of the area for 1-0.

Blackburn did attempt to mount a response in the immediate aftermath of the goal, with a couple of corners leading to a free header, which was comfortably saved by Graczyk.

The hosts then had their best chance after an excellent through ball, but Zach Awe made a fantastic last-ditch tackle to deny the shot.

Arsenal started to put some pressure on after that, and Khayon Edwards was causing plenty of problems for the Rovers defence. Both centre-backs picked up yellow cards within a few minutes of each other, after bringing the striker down.

Edwards almost got the first goal of his injury return soon after that, as he was just a toe away from a whipped Henry Jeffcott cross.

The Gunners also had a penalty appeal turned down, after a lovely move capped by a Sagoe Jr flick over his own head.

Catalin Cirjan was brought down in the box, but it would have been a pretty soft spot-kick decision. The two teams went in at 1-0 at the break.

Second half

Blackburn started the second half fast, and Awe was quickly forced into making a block on the line. Hubert Graczyk had to make a couple of saves as well, though they were both fairly comfortable.

At the other end, Mauro Bandeira put a couple of free-kicks over the bar, before Smith had a good chance in the 65th minute. The midfielder played a one-two to get through on goal, but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

Edwards had his best chance of the match after that, after being played in by James Sweet on the counter. He cut inside to make space for a shot inside the box, but his effort was just off target.

Blackburn then went as close as they’d come to a goal of their own, hitting the post with a shot from just outside the box.

Graczyk’s earlier saves may have been comfortable, but he had to make an excellent reflex stop to keep the score at 1-0.

Arsenal made some late changes to try and see out the win, but there was late heartbreak as Blackburn finished a scrappy chance from close range after a run around the outside and into the box.

The match finished 1-1, with Arsenal having to settle for a point despite a late free-kick attempt on target.

Final thoughts

Khayon Edwards was the driving force behind Arsenal’s strong first-half performance, and perhaps the weaker second-half display came as he tired on his first start back.

The striker linked up expertly with teammates in the first 45, winning plenty of fouls and drawing a couple of bookings. Once he’s ready to compete like that for a full 90 again, the u21s should go up a level.

But the run without a win extends to eight games in all competitions, and Mehmet Ali will have to hope the returning internationals can help to inspire the side to change that next week.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Blackburn Rovers

Graczyk, Sweet, Monlouis, Awe, Jeffcott, Smith, Bandeira, Cirjan, Cottrell, Sagoe Jr, Edwards

Substitutes

Ibrahim (for Cirjan, 68), Gower (for Sweet, 82), Kamara (for Edwards, 89), Cooper, Nichols

What’s next?

The Arsenal u21s are next in action against Manchester United, with the game set to be played at Old Trafford on Friday, March 31st at 19:00 BST. The game will be live on Arsenal.com.