The Arsenal u21s recorded a big win on Tuesday night to secure their spot in the EFL Trophy knockout stages, with Emerson Nwaneri the hero.
The Arsenal first-team lost to League Two Fleetwood Town to exit the League Cup on Tuesday night, but the Arsenal u21s didn’t suffer the same fate against League One opposition AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy.
The u21s knew that only a win would be enough to guarantee progression to the knockout stages of the competition.
A draw and a win on penalties (for the bonus point) would give them a chance, depending on the other group result, whilst a loss on penalties or in normal time would mean immediate elimination.
But the team would have to achieve that win without some key players, with Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Ceadach O’Neill, Maalik Hashi, Marcell Washington, and Andre Harriman-Annous all joining the first-team squad.
After a tight first-half involving chances for both teams and some strong goalkeeping, hosts Wimbledon took the lead through Callum Maycock in the 48th minute.
It was a major blow to Arsenal, but the Gunners kept pushing. Eventually, Evan Mooney equalised from close range after a cross by Emerson Nwaneri in the 72nd minute. Then provider turned scorer, as Nwaneri scored a deflected effort in the 87th minute for the winning goal.
Ethan Nwaneri’s younger brother Emerson has made some headlines recently, playing a temporary goalkeeper role in the u18 derby win over Spurs, and scoring a late Youth League equaliser away to Bayern Munich. Tuesday’s goal and assist was just the latest example.
The 2-1 victory saw Arsenal shoot up into top spot in the group, though they’ll only remain there if Leyton Orient beat Barnet in the final game next month.
Regardless, the young Gunners can only drop as low as second place, so progression to the round-of-32 is guaranteed.
Arsenal u21 lineup vs AFC Wimbledon
Ranson, Owusu-Gyasi, Upson, Dixon, Abubakar, Murisa, Julienne, Nwaneri, Scanlon, Tyjon, Bernard
Substitutes
Ibrahim (for Murisa, 58), Stevens (for Tyjon, 58), Clarke (for Dixon, 67), Mooney (for Bernard, 67), Ogunnaike (for Upson, 70), Phillips, Agustien
- Emerson Nwaneri shines again as Arsenal reach EFL Trophy knockoutsThe Arsenal u21s recorded a big win on Tuesday night to secure their spot in the EFL Trophy knockout stages, with Emerson Nwaneri the hero.
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