Nwaneri & Talbot sent off as Arsenal u18s lose at Brighton

Emerson Nwaneri was sent off before half-time as Arsenal Under-18s finished with nine men in a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Arsenal had kept Brighton out through the opening half-hour before the game changed in the 35th minute.

Nwaneri, who had already been booked, was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge, leaving Arsenal to play more than half the match with 10 men.

Despite that disadvantage, Arsenal took the lead after half-time from a corner through Abraham Owusu-Gyasi.

Brighton responded quickly through Daniel Rudin, who levelled three minutes later, before substitute Raffaele Oppong scored from close range with six minutes remaining to make it 2-1.

Arsenal’s afternoon deteriorated further when Jack Talbot was sent off for protesting Brighton’s winning goal.

The u18s are without a win this season, having drawn 0-0 with West Brom and lost 3-1 to Ipswich.