Report – Osman Kamara scores and Marli Salmon impresses as Arsenal U21s beat Derby

Premier League 2

Derby County 0 Arsenal 1 (Kamara 72)

Substitute Osman Kamara made a decisive contribution as Arsenal U21s extended their winning run in all competitions to four matches with a 1-0 victory away to Derby County tonight.

In an intense encounter the young Gunners had to be patient to make the breakthrough but they eventually managed to prevail.

Both sets of players wore black armbands in tribute to Billy Vigar, who represented both clubs at this level. A minute’s silence was also held prior to kick off.

Winger Archie Stevens made his debut, while Khari Ranson featured for the first time this season at any level.

Callan Hamill was called upon at right-back as the 16-year-old made his first start for the U21s and his Premier League 2 debut.

Charles Sagoe Jr was deployed up front, with Harrison Dudziak at the base of the midfield.

Will Sweet and Demiane Agustien also came into the starting lineup.

Ranson 

Hamill-Salmon-Sweet-Nichols 

Dudziak 

Copley-Agustien

Ferdinand-Sagoe Jr-Stevens 

Subs: Ibrahim (for Dudziak, 58), Harriman-Annous (for Ferdinand, 58), Kamara (for Agustien, 68), Clarke (for Stevens, 85). Not used: Mitchell.

Arsenal had the first real chance of the game as Sweet headed over from Agustien’s corner.

Derby responded with an effort of their own which went wide before Cruz Allen’s attempt deflected off Marli Salmon and went out for a corner, with nothing coming from the resultant set-piece.

Salmon and fellow first year Hamill defended well as Arsenal ensured that they didn’t concede in the closing stages of a rather uneventful first half.

Stevens shot over early in the second half as the game started to become more open.

Andre Harriman-Annous and Ife Ibrahim then entered the fray in place of Seb Ferdinand and Harrison Dudziak.

Those changes led to Sagoe Jr moving over to his usual position of the left wing, from where he became very effective.

Salmon made another important defensive intervention, with Sagoe Jr then shooting wide at the other end after being found by Ibrahim.

Kamara then came on for Agustien in what proved to be an inspired substitution.

Just five minutes after entering the fray Kamara found the net with a composed finish after his initial effort was closed down, with Sagoe Jr having done well to find him initially.

Ranson had to keep out an effort from Derby before Arsenal had further chances through Sagoe Jr and Josh Nichols.

Brayden Clarke came on for Stevens late on as Arsenal looked to see out the win.

They managed to achieve that objective, with the determination of this group of players very much in evidence once again.

There were some difficult periods in the first half as Arsenal struggled for momentum but matters improved considerably in the second half, especially after Sagoe Jr moved out wide and Kamara came on.

The defence, too, deserve much credit, with 16-year-olds Hamill and Salmon especially effective.

Salmon looked assured at the back and it will be intriguing to see how much he can develop this season.

Stevens featured in three different positions throughout the game – both wings and as an attacking midfielder – although it seems clear that he is best suited to playing on the right wing. The new signing was lively although he was closely marked.

Arsenal U21s are in seventh place out of 29 teams in Premier League 2 and are now starting to build up momentum.