Report – Clarke impresses, Mbala makes debut as Arsenal U21s draw with Birmingham
Premier League 2
Birmingham City 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal U21s are still waiting for their first league win of the season after a goalless draw away to their Birmingham City counterparts today.
David Horseman’s team impressed in the first half but weren’t able to find a way past Birmingham goalkeeper Tyrese Warmington, who was in excellent form.
Substitute Igor Tyjon missed a late opportunity, with Arsenal having now drawn three of their first four league matches this season.
Khari Ranson captained the side as he started in goal, while Ife Ibrahim and Theo Julienne were involved after featuring for the first-team in midweek.
There was also starts for Callan Hamill and Maalik Hashi, with fellow U18 players Elyon Mbala and Emerson Nwaneri named amongst the substitutes.
Ranson
Hamill-Clarke-Upson-Ogunnaike
Ibrahim-Julienne
O’Neill-Hashi-Scanlon
Harriman Annous
Subs: Mbala (for Hamill, 46), Mooney (for Scanlon, 60), Stevens (for O’Neill, 60), Tyjon (for Julienne, 60), Agustien (for Hashi, 73). Not used: Porter, Emerson Nwaneri.
Ceadach O’Neill, who received another callup to the Northern Ireland senior squad this week, started the game brightly and played in Hashi, whose effort was off target.
O’Neill then went for goal himself, with his effort being pushed behind for a corner before Andre Harriman-Annous struck the post with an attempt.
Harriman-Annous and Hashi continued to try their luck in front of goal as Arsenal looked to make the most of their dominance in the first half.
However, the young Gunners were unable to make the breakthrough in the first half.
Mbala replaced Hamill ahead of the second half as the 16-year-old made his U21s debut.
Birmingham provided more of an attacking threat in the second period with Salif Bamba and Finn McGreevy both shooting off target.
Arsenal made a triple substitution that changed their whole attacking composition as Tyjon, Evan Mooney and Archie Stevens all came on and Harriman-Annous dropped into midfield.
Hashi had an effort saved by the inspired Warmington and Elijah Upson then shot wide after pushing forwards from centre-back.
Another change followed as Demiane Agustien replaced Hashi but Birmingham were starting to assert themselves as substitute Tobey Ugorji shot over with a lofted effort and the Ranson had to make a save.
The final chance of the game fell to Tyjon, but the recent signing wasn’t able to find the net.
This was something of a comedown after the enthralling victory against Leyton Orient’s senior side in the EFL Trophy but Horseman will still be pleased with the defensive solidity that his team showed at times, particularly from the likes of Clarke and Upson.
Hashi and O’Neill were bright creatively in the first half but the triple attacking substitution didn’t really help Arsenal’s momentum.
There is now a long wait until the next U21 game at home to Sunderland on October 10th. Some of these players will be on international duty at various levels and the others will be aiming to impress in training.