Post-Match Report

Match report: Arsenal U-23s 2-1 Leicester City

Balogun

-

Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park
Premier League 2 - Division One
Premier League 2 - Division One
  Arsenal U23
      
                  C. Chambers (16)
                   Balogun (76)
            
   crest
Arsenal U23
C. Chambers (16)
Balogun (76)
2 1
  
      
              O'Connor  (43)
          
   crest
O'Connor (43)

WHAT HAPPENED

Our under-23s signed off 2020 in style with a valuable 2-1 win over Leicester City on Friday night.

Calum Chambers found the back of the net as he continues to build up match fitness, while the in-form Folarin Balogun sealed all three points with his fourth league goal of the season. 

Coming into this fixture off the bench of three consecutive victories, we were full of confidence and opened the scoring after just 16 minutes.

Balogun saw his instinctive effort saved, but Chambers was lurking inside the area to fire home the rebound.

Balogun then fizzed the ball just wide of the far post from the edge of the area, before Miguel Azeez’s powerful effort was blocked.

We were looking sharp, but on the stroke of half-time, the visitors drew level as Demarai Gray’s free-kick was converted at the back post by Darragh O’Connor.

Following the restart, we returned to our free-flowing attacking football and came close to a second when Nikolaj Moller finished from close range, but Azeez, who created the chance, was deemed offside in the build-up.

We didn’t lose focus, though, and with 15 minutes remaining, we were rewarded for our patience.

Ben Cottrell dispossessed Thakgalo Leshabela and picked out Azeez, who let the ball run through his legs and into the path of Ryan Alebiosu. Our left back then crossed for Balogun and he coolly fired into the bottom right corner.

Leicester continued to search for a second equaliser, but the experienced Gray and Islam Slimani were unable to find a way through.

WHAT IT MEANS

PL2 table

WHAT’S NEXT

Up next, we will face Southampton in the PL2 on January 17.

The game will take place at St Mary’s Stadium with kick-off at 2.30pm (UK time).

See Full List

Fixtures & Results

Premier League
Ticket Info