U21s report: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

WHAT HAPPENED

Our under-21s were held to a point in back-to-back away games after a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

We started the brighter of the two sides and went close twice within the first ten minutes - firstly, Mauro Bandeira found Khayon Edwards but his effort was comfortably saved and then moments later magical feet from Charles Sagoe Jr allowed him to find space in the box, but his effort stung the palms of Elyh Harrison.

We got our deserved lead when Edwards capitalised on Harrison’s error to tap into an empty net and notch his first goal since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, the hosts drew level shortly against the run of play through Mateo Mejia’s fine finish.

Mehmet Ali’s side were the better team and had two glorious chances to restore a half-time lead but Bandeira fired over from close range before Sagoe Jr failed to convert his one-on-one.

The second half continued in the same manner and we created our first chance after the restart when Matt Smith’s precise through ball set Sagoe Jr away but his effort bounced off the post.

Smith, who continuously displayed a wonderful range of passes, almost connected with Zach Awe with a delightful left-foot dink but United scrambled the ball away.

Our young Gunners gave it their all and it was one-way traffic throughout most of the second half, but the hosts held on and we left Manchester with a solitary point.

WHAT IT MEANS

The draw sees us climb two places to sixth in the table with 29 points after 21 games played.

WHAT’S NEXT

We make the short trip to Fulham on Friday, April 7 to contest a London derby, knowing a win takes us above the Cottagers, who lie in fifth place.

Kick-off at Motspur Park is at 7pm (UK).

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal: Graczyk, Sweet, Monlouis, Awe, Sousa, Smith, Bandeira, Cottrell, Sagoe Jr, Cirjan (Cozier-Duberry, 66), Edwards

Subs not used: Cooper, Jeffcott, Ibrahim, Benjamin