WHAT HAPPENED
Our under-21s fought back twice to claim a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Meadow Park on Friday night.
Despite our indifferent form over the last few weeks, we started positively with Amario Cozier-Duberry firing an early effort just over the bar after a delightful through pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
We fashioned another chance moments later when Charles Sagoe Jr drove down the left-hand side but his crossed shot was dealt with by Killian Cahill in the Brighton net.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after Bradley Ibrahim was adjudged to have fouled Jamie Mullins, but Hubert Graczyk stood tall and saved Luca Barrington’s penalty to keep us on level terms.
The Seagulls did eventually take the lead on the half-hour mark when Mullins fired home from the edge of the box.
Lewis Skelly’s magical run almost brought us level on the brink of half time but he rattled his shot off the crossbar.
Minutes after the restart, Cozier-Duberry and Sagoe Jr forced Cahill into two solid saves.
However, the visitors were clinical and we were punished shortly after when Barrington doubled Brighton’s advantage from close range.
We got ourselves back into the game with 15 minutes left when Sagoe Jr was brought down in the box and Ben Cottrell converted from 12 yards. Two minutes later we levelled - Cozier-Duberry’s stunning curling strike rippled the top corner.
However, the visitors retook the lead immediately after via a fine strike from Cameron Peupion. But, we responded instantly when substitute Catalin Cirjan showed great anticipation and composure to round the keeper and draw us level!
The crazy seven-minute period saw four goals hit the back of the net as the game turned back and forth.
We almost scored a winner in added time but Cahill somehow tipped Cozier-Duberry’s near post effort out for a corner and we had to settle for a point.
WHAT IT MEANS
The result sees us stay seventh with 30 points after 23 games.
WHAT’S NEXT
We’re back at Meadow Park for a London derby against Fulham on Friday, April 21.
Kick-off is at 7pm (UK).
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal: Graczyk, Bandeira, Ibrahim, Monlouis, Sweet, Lewis-Skelly (Henry-Francis, 60), Cottrell, Nwaneri (Cirjan, 75), Sagoe Jr, Cozier-Duberry, Edwards
Subs not used: Cooper, Robinson, Benjamin
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