Report – Sagoe Jr scores late winner as Arsenal U21s beat Newport in Horseman’s first game

EFL Trophy

Newport County 1 (Lloyd 2) Arsenal 2 (Harriman-Annous 58 (pen.), Sagoe Jr)

There was a throwback to the past and an intriguing glimpse of the future as Arsenal U21s commenced their EFL Trophy campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Newport County tonight.

Arsenal emerged from this encounter against the League Two side with a victory courtesy of a late winner from the lively Charles Sagoe Jr, who performed a similar feat on his U21 debut against the same opponents four years ago.

The young Gunners bounced back from conceding after just two minutes, with Andre Harriman-Annous scoring a penalty in the second half just minutes after he had missed one.

It was a positive night for David Horseman in his first game in charge, with the new coach having seemingly already instilled a greater defensive structure in the team.

There was a further positive, too, with defender Callan Hamill making his U21 debut as a late substitute.

Arsenal named a strong team, which perhaps suggests that there won’t be many academy players involved in tomorrow night’s EFL Cup game against Port Vale.

First-team goalkeeper Tommy Setford started, while first years Teshaun Murisa and Brando Bailey-Joseph joined Hamill in receiving their first competitive U21 callups.

Harrison Dudziak came back into the starting lineup, while Marli Salmon replaced Will Sweet in defence.

Setford

Nichols-Salmon-Clarke-Washington

Ibrahim

Copley-Dudziak

Ferdinand-Harriman Annous-Sagoe Jr

Subs: Agustien (for Dudziak, 64), Kamara (for Ferdinand, 64), Hamill (for Nichols, 90), Sweet (for Harriman-Annous, 90). Not used: Mitchell, Murisa, Bailey-Joseph.

It was a concerning start to the game for Arsenal, who were punished for losing possession, with Ben Lloyd giving Newport an early lead.

Arsenal sought to respond, with Harriman-Annous having an effort pushed away.

Harrison Dudziak and Seb Ferdinand had further opportunities for Arsenal, with Newport also trying their luck on one occasion.

Josh Nichols was frequently inverting from right-back and on one occasion early in the second half he pushed forwards well prior to having a shot saved.

Arsenal were then awarded a penalty after Harriman-Annous was fouled in the area, but his spot-kick was saved by Jordan Wright.

Sagoe Jr shot over and then, in somewhat remarkable circumstances, Arsenal were awarded another penalty as Harriman-Annous was brought down again.

The striker showed great mental strength to step up again and he succeeded in finding the net on this occasion.

Osman Kamara and Demiane Agustien then came on for Ferdinand and Dudziak.

Newport put pressure on Arsenal and even had the ball in the net on one occasion but the flag had already been raised for offside.

Setford had to make a save but then Arsenal upped the intensity at the other end, with Agustien winning a corner after a powerful effort was tipped away.

Agustien took the corner and found Kamara, who steered it into the path of Sagoe Jr, with the winger proceeding to give Arsenal the lead late on just as he did in this same fixture in 2021.

There were six added minutes but Arsenal managed to see the game out with Hamill and Sweet entering the fray.

Overall, it was a positive start to the competition for Arsenal, who were backed by 89 away supporters.

Sagoe Jr and Nichols were bright, while Harriman-Annous showed resilience and Ife Ibrahim is continuing to establish himself in midfield. Agustien also caught the eye late on.

Perhaps most encouraging of all was the immediate impact made by Horseman, who has helped the structure and balance of the team.