Arsenal U21s beat League One side to keep EFL Trophy hopes alive

Arsenal U21s claimed a 2-1 victory at League One side Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

The young Gunners now have three points from two group games after losing 5-1 to Barnet in their opening fixture.

They started the fixture well and nearly took an early lead when goalkeeper Oliver Dovin dropped Archie Stevens’ corner, but he recovered in time to avert the danger.

Orient broke the deadlock when Idris El Mizouni floated a cross into the box, and Nicholas Oyekunle rose highest to flick the ball past goalkeeper Khari Ranson.

Emerson Nwaneri, who scored for Arsenal U18s last weekend, should have levelled the scores when he beat his marker before aiming for the goal, only for Dovin to save his effort.

Arsenal restored parity in first-half stoppage time as Archie Stevens picked out the far corner from a difficult angle.

The north London side created the first chance of the second half when Nwaneri flashed a powerful strike wide of the top corner.

There were no chances at either end until the 65th minute when Orient substitute Finn Stevens struck a volley from the edge of the penalty box, but Ranson tipped it over the crossbar.

The Arsenal goalkeeper was called into action again from the resulting corner, making a point-blank save to prevent the hosts from taking the lead from the rebound.

Ranson made another superb stop after a deflected cross before Andre Harriman-Annous scored the winning goal. The 18-year-old pounced on a loose ball to tuck it home.

Arsenal will be aiming to secure a place in the next round when they face AFC Wimbledon on October 27 in their final group game.

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