We won 1-0 at home to Middlesbrough under-21s on our return to Premier League 2 Division One football for 2024.
Ismael Kabia put us in front after a fantastic assist from Bradley Ibrahim and we defended resolutely to prevent Boro from creating any clear-cut chances in the second half.
It took seven minutes for our first chance of the game to materialise as Jimi Gower floated in a free-kick for Zane Monlouis to meet with his head, but it was an easy attempt for Shea Connor to gather before sending the away side on the counter attack.
Max Howells almost profited from the response at the other end but Harrison Dudziak did well to get back and force a corner for the visitors.
Taylor Foran similarly carried out his defensive responsibilities with aplomb, getting himself in the right place at the right time to block a goal-bound strike from Fenton John.
With half an hour played, Kabia - the right winger making his first appearance for the U21s this season - saw a cross deflected into Connor’s gloves.
Sam Collins had his cross scooped wide by Simpson as Boro searched for the opener, before we came close when another Kabia cross was headed towards goal by Ayden Heaven, but again Connor could gather possession comfortably.
Jimi Gower pulled the ball back for Heaven who had a powerful effort blocked on the brink of half-time and the two sides went into the break level.
We took the lead early in the second half when Ibrahim played a brilliant ball over the top for Kabia to run onto after the latter had timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap.
All that was left to do was go around the goalkeeper and find the back of the net and Kabia duly obliged for 1-0.
Khayon Edwards was next to try his luck but his effort went straight at Connor. A few minutes later, Edwards showed some good footwork before crossing for James Sweet and he saw his shot blocked close to the line as we hunted a second goal of the night.
Looking for an equaliser, Luke Woolston curled a free-kick over the top right corner for Boro with just over 10 minutes remaining.
10 minutes were added on at the end of the 90 following a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to the referee, who had to be replaced by another official, before Ismail Oulad M'Hand clipped the post when he aimed for the bottom left corner from the edge of the area.
Michal Rosiak carried us forward on the counter-attack after Ovie Ejeheri punched clear a Boro free-kick but the away side got back to clear the danger.
Ejeheri showed brilliant reflexes to tip the ball over the bar after Simpson's corner was met by Georgia Gitau.
After a total of 17 minutes of added time were played, the substitute referee blew the full-time whistle!
What it means
We sit fourth in PL2, one point behind second-placed Fulham.
What's next
We travel to Aggborough Stadium in two weeks to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in PL2 before returning to Meadow Park for the visit of Leeds United on Friday, February 9.
Team sheet
Arsenal: Ejeheri, Robinson (Sweet 46), Foran, Monlouis (C), Heaven, Ibrahim, Dudziak (Obi-Martin 90+7), Oulad M'Hand, Kabia (Rosiak 85), Gower (Kacurri 90+14), Edwards.
Substitutes (not used): Graczyk.
Middlesbrough: Connor, Gitau, McCormick, Whelan, Hannah (C), Agyemang, Simpson, Woolston (Samuels 90+6), Howells (Traore 75), John (Mathews 53), Collins.
Substitutes (not used): Elliott, Lindo.
Key events
Goals: Arsenal - Kabia (52)
Bookings: Arsenal - Kabia (30), Ibrahim (77), Middlesbrough - Whelan (14), Woolston (83)
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