Post-Match Report

Under-21s: West Brom 3-0 Arsenal

West Bromwich Albion U23 -

WBA Training Ground
Barclays U21 Premier League
Barclays U21 Premier League
  West Bromwich Albion U23
      
              0 (18)
               Adil Nabi (61
               66 pen)
          
   crest
West Bromwich Albion U23
0 (18) Adil Nabi (61 66 pen)
3 0
  Arsenal U23
   crest
Arsenal U23

By Max Jones at West Bromwich Albion Training Ground

SUMMARY

Arsenal Under-21s lost 3-0 against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

The young Gunners struggled to break down the Baggies’ organised defence at one end and could not contain the lively Adil Nabi at the other.

Jack Fitzwater opened the scoring, heading home at the back post after the strong wind had taken Nabi’s corner away from Matt Macey.

Nabi then struck twice after the break, finishing a quick counter-attack first before burying a penalty after Roberts had been tripped in the box.

SETTING THE SCENE

Steve Gatting made just two changes to the side that lost 3-1 against Aston Villa at London Colney on Friday.

Krystian Bielik returned from injury to replace the absent Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while Gatting continued to rotate his goalkeepers with Macey starting ahead of Deyan Iliev.

The Gunners were looking to bounce back from three consecutive defeats and would have taken confidence from their 4-2 win in the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium earlier this season.

However, despite West Brom naming a younger side, they also carried a threat going forward, with recent first-team substitute Nabi supporting trialist Adam Campbell - who had made three Premier League appearances for Newcastle United.

FIRST HALF

It only took Nabi seven minutes to show his quality. The tricky forward sped into the box past two Arsenal defenders before dragging his low strike wide of the far post.

The Gunners struggled in the windy conditions and the hosts soon took the lead when Nabi’s swirling corner was headed in by Fitzwater at the back post.

Chances had been few and far between in the first half but West Brom built on their momentum and it was their star man who threatened again, this time forcing Macey into a fine reaction save with a powerful drive.

Arsenal had found it difficult to break down a resolute home defence and were restricted to just one attempt when Dan Crowley raced on to Bielik’s pass but drove well over from 25 yards.

SECOND HALF

West Brom looked to protect their lead after the break but their commanding defence almost saw them add to it. A quick counter-attack saw Campbell collect the ball on the edge of the box and his curling strike was only kept out by Macey’s fingertips.

Nabi then sent a fierce strike just past the post but it was not long before the forward left another mark on the game. The 21-year-old sprinted on to Campbell’s through ball and buried it into the bottom corner.

Arsenal had struggled to cope with Nabi’s directness and the forward had one last input before being withdrawn. Roberts was brought down in the box and Nabi confidently slotted past Macey to end his dominant afternoon.

The Gunners did create a few chances late on, with Gedion Zelalem and Crowley both getting into advanced positions, but their ambitious attempts flew harmlessly off target.

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