The Arsenal u21s came out on top in an entertaining game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, which eventually finished 6-3 to the young Gunners.

The Arsenal u21s recalled Karl Hein to the team for the first time in this Premier League 2 campaign on Sunday, giving the goalkeeper some minutes after all his recent call-ups to the first-team squad.

It was far from a quiet day for the goalkeeper, and he’ll have been thankful his opposition number was even busier.

Bradley Ibrahim gave Arsenal a very early lead, pouncing on a rebound in the area, before turning provider on two occasions for Khayon Edwards.

Ibrahim first set up Edwards for a nice turn and finish in the box, and a few minutes later an Ibrahim ball over the top led to the same combination for Arsenal’s third.

Fellow midfielder Jack Henry-Francis was the next on the scoresheet, finding the corner of the net from range, and the game seemed to be wrapped up after 39 minutes.

Henry-Francis’ effort was set up by brace scorer Edwards for his third goal contribution of the half.

But Brighton gave Arsenal something to think about going into the break, with Mark O’Mahony heading in for 4-1.

After his goal and two assists in the first half, Ibrahim was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly at the break. Just a few minutes later, the contest appeared to be over again, with Amario Cozier-Duberry cutting in and finishing from a Henry-Francis assist.

Once again, Brighton rallied, scoring through O’Mahony and Joshua Duffus for 5-3.

But that was followed by a long-overdue break in the scoring, and Arsenal managed to see the game out to the final few minutes, when Cozier-Duberry scored his second to really finish things off.

The result brings Arsenal up to second in the Premier League 2 table, just as with the first team. But with the unfortunate caveat that the league leaders are Tottenham Hotspur, just as with the first team.

Both sides clearly have work to do to change that situation, but it’s good to see the first team and the u21s fighting at the top of their respective divisions again.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Brighton and Hove Albion

Hein, Walters, Monlouis, Foran, Heaven, Ibrahim, Gower, Henry-Francis, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr., Edwards

Substitutes

Lewis-Skelly (for Ibrahim, 46), Obi-Martin (for Edwards, 70), Nichols (for Foran, 80), Ejeheri, Azeez

What’s next?

The Arsenal u21s have a quick turnaround to their next game, another home match against Manchester City on Friday, November 3rd at 19:00 GMT.