Post-Match Report

Arsenal U-23s 1-1 Brighton: How it happened

Brighton U23 -

Emirates Stadium
Premier League 2 - Division One
Premier League 2 - Division One
  Arsenal U23
      
                  Nelson (88)
            
   crest
Arsenal U23
Nelson (88)
1 1
  Brighton U23
      
              Connolly (90)
          
   crest
Brighton U23
Connolly (90)

WHAT HAPPENED

Freddie Ljungberg’s under-23 side will continue to hunt for their first win of the season after conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Emile Smith Rowe dictated the pace of the game in the opening exchanges and helped to create our first opportunity when he broke free of his marker and drilled a cross into the path of Eddie Nketiah, who couldn’t provide the finishing touch. 

Shortly after, Reiss Nelson fired over with a left-footed effort from inside the box, before Dejan Iliev produced a stunning diving save to keep out Beram Kayal’s free-kick. 

Joe Willock had the opportunity to give us the lead before half-time, but missed the target after dribbling past three players on his way into the box. 

Nketiah had been a live wire throughout and he almost broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half when he chased down a back pass, but couldn’t sneak his shot past the onrushing Jason Steele. 

Nelson later tried his luck with a thumping long-range effort that sailed over the bar, before Daniel Ballard’s glancing header trickled just wide.

We continued to push for a winner right up until the end, with Ljungberg making a number of attacking substitutions, and with just two minutes left Nelson looked like he’d grabbed the winner when he found the top right corner with a wonderful curling effort.

But deep into injury time, Brighton substitute Aaron Connolly equalised after we failed to deal with a free-kick and the resulting goalmouth scramble.

WHAT’S NEXT

We must now turn our attention to our Premier League 2 clash against West Ham United on Friday.

The game will be held at the London Stadium with kick-off at 7pm (UK time).  

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