Report – Substitute Seb Ferdinand scores late equaliser as Arsenal U21s draw with Nottingham Forest

Premier League 2

Nottingham Forest 2 (Bowler 20, 26) Arsenal 2 (Sagoe Jr 54, Ferdinand 87)

Substitute Seb Ferdinand scored a dramatic late equaliser as Arsenal U21s secured their first point of the Premier League 2 season with a 2-2 draw away to their Nottingham Forest counterparts tonight.

Arsenal found themselves 2-0 down after 26 minutes with senior player Josh Bowler netting a brace for Forest.

It was a disappointing first half display from Arsenal but matters improved considerably in the second period, with Charles Sagoe Jr reducing the deficit before Ferdinand found the net.

Lucas Nygaard made his first appearance of the season in goal, while Will Sweet started with Marli Salmon moving across to right-back and Josh Nichols named on the bench, where he was joined by goalkeeper Khari Ranson.

Nygaard

Salmon-Kacurri-Sweet-Washington

Dudziak

Agustien-Copley

Kabia-Harriman Annous-Sagoe Jr

Subs: Ibrahim (for Dudziak, 45), Nichols (for Salmon, 60), Clarke (for Kacurri, 78), Ferdinand (for Sagoe Jr, 78). Not used: Ranson.

Arsenal were eager to respond after starting the season with a defeat to Fulham but, in a sign of what was to come, it was Forest who created the first opening with Bowler shooting over.

Salmon, Demiane Agustien and Sagoe Jr had chances for Arsenal but Forest took the lead in the 19th minute as Bowler scored with a shot that Nygaard perhaps should have saved.

Shortly afterwards Forest doubled their tally with Bowler finding the net again after capitalising on a mistake from Agustien.

Arsenal looked to respond, with Sagoe Jr, Copley and Kacurri (up for a corner) being presented with opportunities but Forest went into the break with their 2-0 lead intact.

Just before half time Arsenal captain Harrison Dudziak had to be substituted due to injury, with second year scholar Ife Ibrahim replacing him.

Ibrahim’s introduction provided Arsenal with greater balance in midfield and gave the team the platform for a much improved second half display.

Bowler shot wide as he looked to complete his hat-trick and Arsenal were then forced into another alteration as Salmon went off injured and was replaced by Nichols.

Arsenal then started to increase the intensity considerably and they were rewarded for their efforts with Kabia controlling the ball superbly prior to finding Sagoe Jr, who finished well to reduce the deficit.

Kabia created further chances for Sagoe Jr and Harriman-Annous before missing an opportunity of his own.

Nichols added to Arsenal’s composure as he made an impact as an inverted right-back while on the opposite side of the pitch Marcell Washington was giving a good account of himself.

Changes then followed with Ferdinand and Brayden Clarke replacing Agustien and Maldini Kacurri.

There has been frustration at times for Ferdinand, who wasn’t involved as much as he would have liked for the U21s last season and has been used in various different positions.

However, the 19-year-old provided a reminder of the threat he poses as a winger as he scored the equaliser with an effort that went in off the post.

Arsenal carved out further chances as they looked to win the game, with Harriman-Annous and Nichols both being denied.

There was a concerning moment at the other end as Nygaard gave the ball away, but the goalkeeper managed to redeem himself by making a save.

Arsenal will certainly take a point given the position in which they found themselves at half time but Max Porter will be hoping that his team can show greater consistency throughout the 90 minutes.

It was no coincidence that Arsenal improved significantly when Ibrahim entered the fray and he surely has to be in contention to start the next game.

Washington was excellent at left-back in the second half as he rode challenges superbly, while Nichols, who somewhat bizarrely didn’t start, also made an impact.

The front three of Kabia, Harriman-Annous and Sagoe Jr are also continuing to pose a threat even though the two wingers shouldn’t really be playing at this level any longer.

It will take time to build up greater cohesion and balance in the team, although there were some concerning moments in the first half.

Arsenal are back in action next week when they host Brighton as they look to get their first win of the season.