Report – Owusu-Gyasi scores but Talbot and Emerson Nwaneri sent off as Arsenal U18s lose to Brighton
U18 Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Rudin 64, Oppong 84) Arsenal 1 (Owusu-Gyasi 61)
Arsenal U18s’ frustrating start to the season continued as they finished with nine men today in a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite Emerson Nwaneri’s dismissal in the first half, Arsenal took the lead in the second period courtesy of Abraham Owusu-Gyasi.
However, Brighton responded with two goals and there was further misery for Arsenal as goalkeeper Jack Talbot was sent off late on.
Jayden Oba continued up front with Bowen Phillips and Nwaneri operating either side of him.
Goalkeeper Max Lo Presti received his first callup at this level as he was named on the bench, where he was joined by fellow schoolboys Luis Munoz and Mikael Bonaventure Yetna.
Talbot
Owusu Gyasi-McCarron-Stachow-Abubakar
Murisa
Sampang-Hashi
B. Phillips-Oba-Emerson Nwaneri
Subs: Frohock (for Oba, 56), Munoz (for B. Phillips, 56), Bonaventure Yetna (for Sampang, 67), Lo Presti (for Abubakar, 87), Mbala (for Hashi, 87). Not used: Purdy.
Nwaneri was sent off towards the end of the first half for a second bookable offence after committing a foul.
Arsenal made a couple of alterations early in the second period as U15 prospect Munoz entered the fray along with Marley Frohock.
Owusu-Gyasi then gave Arsenal the lead, with Maalik Hashi providing the assist.
The lead lasted just three minutes, however, as Daniel Rudin quickly equalised for Brighton.
Schoolboy Mikael Bonaventure Yetna came on for Arsenal but Brighton took the lead with six minutes of normal time remaining as Raffaele Oppong scored.
Talbot was then sent off with outfield player Abubakar having to be sacrificed and U16 goalkeeper Lo Presti coming on for his U18s debut.
Brighton ended up securing all three points, with Arsenal yet to secure a victory in their four games in all competitions this season. The young Gunners have taken just one point out of a possible nine from their league fixtures.
