Report – Andre Harriman-Annous scores late winner as Arsenal U21s beat Leyton Orient in EFL Trophy
EFL Trophy
Leyton Orient 1 (Oyekunle 25) Arsenal 2 (Stevens 45, Harriman-Annous 81)
Substitute Andre Harriman-Annous scored a late winner as Arsenal U21s came from behind to beat Leyton Orient’s senior side 2-1 in the EFL Trophy tonight.
Having been thrashed by Barnet in their opening group game, Arsenal were determined to get a positive result tonight despite being without Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Theo Julienne and Ife Ibrahim due to first-team commitments.
Coach David Horseman gave starts to several U18 players in Teshaun Murisa, Maalik Hashi and Emerson Nwaneri.
Meanwhile, first year scholars Elyon Mbala and Daniel McCarron were named on the bench as they received their first competitive callups at this level.
Khari Ranson started in goal as he captained the team.
Ranson
Clarke-Dixon-Ogunnaike-Washington
Murisa
Hashi-Scanlon
Stevens-Mooney-Emerson Nwaneri
Subs: Hamill (for Dixon, 56), Tyjon (for Emerson Nwaneri, 58), Harriman-Annous (for Stevens, 69), Agustien (for Hashi, 70), McCarron (for Clarke, 70). Not used: Porter, Mbala.
Arsenal youth product Joseph Olowu started for Leyton Orient, with two more former Gunners – Isaac Hayden and Fin Stevens – coming on as substitutes.
Horseman’s side started the game well, with Evan Mooney seeing an effort deflected for a corner.
Soon, however, Arsenal were pressed into action defensively. Jaden Dixon, playing at centre-back on this occasion, made an impressive intervention before Ranson saved to deny James Morris.
It wasn’t long though until Orient took the lead as Nicholas Oyekunle scored with a header.
Emerson Nwaneri, who was deployed on the left flank, started to make an impact for Arsenal and saw a shot saved.
Arsenal managed to equalise before half time as Archie Stevens finished well following good work from Hashi.
Horseman made two changes just before the hour mark as Callan Hamill and Igor Tyjon replaced Dixon and Nwaneri.
Further changes followed as Harriman-Annous, Demiane Agustin and McCarron all came on, the latter making his competitive U21s debut.
Harriman-Annous proceeded to make the game’s decisive intervention as he scored what proved to be the winner in the 81st minute.
Arsenal will face AFC Wimbledon in their final group game and now still have a good chance of progressing to the knockout stages.