Report – Mikael Bonaventure Yetna scores late equaliser as Arsenal U18s draw with Blackburn in Premier League Cup

U18 Premier League Cup

Blackburn Rovers 3 (Leech 3, Lister 15, McIlroy 36) Arsenal 3 (Oba 1, Sampang 67, Bonaventure Yetna 90)

Schoolboy substitute Mikael Bonaventure Yetna scored a stoppage time equaliser as Arsenal U18s commenced their Premier League Cup campaign with a 3-3 draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal had another schoolboy – defender Zachary Van der Straaten – sent off in the closing stages of the game, with Jayden Oba and Saurap Sampang having found the net earlier in the game.

There was some rotation to the side with Oba starting up front while Gabriel Arteta and Bowen Phillips were deployed on either flank.

Maalik Hashi also started while Sampang was back available having featured for the U21s last weekend.

Talbot

Sampang-McCarron-Van der Straaten-Mbala

Murisa-Hashi

G. Arteta-Emerson Nwaneri-B. Phillips

Oba

Subs: Owusu-Gyasi (for McCarron, 46), Abubakar (for G. Arteta, 46), Purdy (for Emerson Nwaneri, 61), Frohock (for B. Phillips, 61), Bonaventure Yetna (for Oba, 70). Not used: Lupinski, Stachow.

Arsenal made an impressive start as Oba opened the scoring in the first minute with his first goal at this level.

However, Blackburn equalised just two minutes later through Alfie Leech with Harry Lister then putting the hosts in front.

Blackburn were 3-1 up before half time as Alfie McIlroy scored.

As has become commonplace this season, there were changes at the break for Arsenal with Abraham Owusu-Gyasi and Hakeem Abubakar coming on.

Arsenal managed to get a goal back through Sampang, with Marley Frohock and Charlie Purdy then coming on, the latter making his first appearance of the season.

Purdy combined with fellow substitute Bonaventure Yetna, who scored an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.

There was further drama to come as Van der Straaten was then sent off but Arsenal managed to hold on to secure a point.