Report – Ferdinand scores late winner; O’Neill and Mitchell make debuts as Arsenal U21s beat Brighton

Premier League 2

Arsenal 1 (Ferdinand 89) Brighton 0

For the second week in succession Seb Ferdinand proved to be the late hero for Arsenal U21s.

After scoring a dramatic equaliser against Nottingham Forest last week, the winger went one better on this occasion as he scored the only goal of the game with Arsenal U21s registering their first win of the season.

The elation surrounding the winner shouldn’t disguise the fact that this was another underwhelming performance from the U21s, who struggled to create many chances and rode their luck at times.

There were some positives, however, with centre-backs Maldini Kacurri and Brayden Clarke performing well, while Ceadach O’Neill made his competitive U21s debut as a substitute after excelling for the U18s.

It was a significant night too for Remy Mitchell, who made his competitive debut for the U21s after his surprise return to the club three years after leaving. Mitchell kept a clean sheet after coming on for the injured Tommy Setford.

Arsenal were without Harrison Dudziak and Marli Salmon due to injuries, while Ismeal Kabia has joined Shrewsbury Town on loan.

Clarke and Ferdinand came into the side, with Ife Ibrahim making his first start at this level. Theo Julienne was named on the bench.

Setford

Nichols-Kacurri-Clarke-Washington

Ibrahim

Augustien-Copley

Ferdinand-Harriman Annous-Sagoe Jr

Subs: Mitchell (for Setford, 42), O’Neill (for Harriman-Annous, 46), Julienne (for Ibrahim, 70), Sweet (for Agustien, 90). Not used: Oyetunde.

Brighton won their first two games of the season 4-0 so Arsenal knew that this would be a difficult task.

Louie Copley, who was captaining the side in the absence of Dudziak, shot over early on, with Setford then called into action at the other end.

Zane Albarus then struck the post for Brighton, with Arsenal perhaps fortunate not to concede.

Ferdinand sent in a cross that just eluded Andre Harriman-Annous, but Arsenal were finding it difficult to carve out clear-cut chances.

Ibrahim, who is adapting well at this level, then made an important clearance.

Setford initially attempted to play on after suffering an injury but he then had go off, with Mitchell coming on.

Nehemiah Oriola shot wide for Brighton at the end of a rather uneventful first half.

Arsenal made an alteration ahead of the second period with O’Neill rewarded for his fine form for the U21s as he replaced Harriman-Annous.

Kacurri had to make a good defensive intervention and Mitchell then made some important stops.

Shane Nti had the ball in the net for Brighton but the flag was raised for offside.

U18s prospect Julienne made his first appearance at this level this season as he came on for Ibrahim, who gave a good account of himself.

O’Neill then played a clever flick into the path of Sagoe Jr, whose effort was deflected for a corner.

The pair then switched positions as Sagoe Jr went up front and O’Neill moved to the left wing.

It seemed like the game was going to peter out but O’Neill found Sagoe Jr, who sent a dangerous cross into the path of Ferdinand.

The winger made no mistake as he finished well, sparking jubilant scenes.

Arsenal perhaps didn’t deserve it and there is certainly much work to do at this level, but in that moment the goal was all that mattered.

There remain huge concerns about the playing style of the U21s, with more dynamism and flair sorely needed.

The defensive performance tonight provides a good platform to build upon but despite the result much more is required in a creative sense.