The Arsenal u21s snatched a draw against Sunderland on Saturday, but the result still leaves them winless in the Premier League 2.
The Arsenal u21s have had a difficult start to the season, kicking things off with a 5-1 EFL Trophy thrashing by Barnet, then losing one and drawing three of their four opening Premier League 2 fixtures.
The only positive in the run of games prior to the international break was a 2-1 EFL Trophy win over Leyton Orient, which has offered the team hope of progression to the knockout stages.
But going into Saturday’s game against Sunderland, the team were still looking for their first league win.
Sunderland’s Trey Ogunsuyi heaped more pressure on the young Gunners by heading home in the 16th minute for 1-0, but Arsenal were gifted a route back into the game.
The Sunderland goalkeeper dawdled on the ball, and Evan Mooney snuck in and put it on a plate for James Scanlon to score for 1-1. It was a simple finish, but it keeps Scanlon’s positive Arsenal start going, with three goals in five games since his signing from Manchester United.
Unfortunately, the second half began with another setback, as Ogunsuyi scored his second of the game. But Arsenal’s were gifted another way back as Aji Alese was dismissed in the 72nd minute for his second yellow card.
The young Gunners pushed for another equaliser, and they eventually found one through a composed finish by Andre Harriman-Annous in the 91st minute. Harriman-Annous has now netted four goals in eight games in all competitions with the Arsenal academy this season.
Arsenal talent Marli Salmon only played an hour, but he put in a positive performance as the team’s captain. And summer signing Mylo Bernard made a cameo off the bench, following his first goal for the England u17s over the break.
There will now be a bit of a break for the u21s, who are next in action on October 23rd, away to Leicester City. In the meantime, many of the players will be involved with the u19s in the UEFA Youth League match against Lille on Tuesday.
Arsenal u21 lineup vs Sunderland
Ranson, Clarke, Washington, Salmon, Dixon, Ibrahim, Nwaneri, O’Neill, Mooney, Scanlon, Harriman-Annous
Substitutes
Julienne (for Salmon, 58), Upson (for Dixon, 58), Hashi (for O’Neill, 58), Bernard (for Mooney, 58), Murisa (for Ibrahim, 70), Porter, Ogunnaike
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