Arsenal under-23s 2-0 Sunderland under-23s
Oscar Chamberlain reviews all the action from the Emirates Stadium, as Sunderland under-23s were defeated by Arsenal.
Josh Maja made his return to action and featured up until the hour mark, as Paddy McNair clocked up another 45 minutes on his road to recovery.
Review all the action below…
THE WRAP
Sunderland’s under-23s suffered a narrow defeat at the Emirates Stadium as an experienced Arsenal side clinched a 2-0 win. A combative opening period ended all-square with chances few and far between, but Gunners stopper Deyan Iliev needed to be alert to catch Brandon Taylor’s header early on. France international Mathieu Debuchy had a similar effort ruled out due to a foul, but there was no denying Vlad Dragomir three minutes after the restart as a curling finish opening the scoring. Elliott Dickman’s side had chances to level with Luke Molyneux leading the charge after replacing Maja, but the Gunners ended hopes of a comeback on 77 minutes as Chuba Akpom found the net.
MAJA RETURNS
Paddy McNair’s selection against Hertha Berlin last week caught the eye and it was a similar story in North London as Maja lined up against the Gunners. The striker sored a glut of goals in pre-season before seeing his involvement cruelly cut short, but after undergoing successful knee surgery and returning to training, the 18-year-old was back in the thick of it and aiming to pick up where he left off. Meanwhile, McNair once again lined up for the under-23s as the Gunners selected first-team trio Debuchy, Francis Coquelin and Akpom.
CANCELLED OUT
The opening period saw the respective midfields came out on top and there was little in the way of attacking action. Arsenal did have the better of the play, though, with Premier League regular Coquelin showing his experience in the centre of the park. That said, it was the perfect challenge for McNair who rose to the occasion. The Gunners crafted the first opening on 11 minutes as multiple efforts rained down on James Talbot, but the stopper did well to block multiple attempts before scrambling it clear. Three minutes later, Debuchy found the net but his header was chalked off for a foul inside the box, with Taylor heading straight at Iliev before the break.
GUNNERS STRIKE FIRST
Both sides made changes as the interval as experience made way for youth. With another 45 minutes in the tank, McNair departed in place of Adam Bale and the Gunners also shuffled their pack as Debuchy and Coquelin took a seat and Zech Medley and Tolaji Bola entered the fray. It was another duo that combined for the opener, though, just three minutes after the restart, with Akpom shifting through the gears before picking out Dragomir who dispatched a fine finish into the top corner. Soon after, Maja was replaced after clocking up 60 minutes on his return to action.
BLACK CATS KEEP FIGHTING
Sunderland refused to stop fighting despite chances being few and far between, but they were almost rewarded for their persistence with 19 minutes remaining as substitute Molyneux jinxed inside before lashing a effort at goal. Arsenal responded with a flurry of chances as Ben Sheaf danced through the box before being denied at the last second, with Tolaji Bolo forcing Talbot into a low save seconds later. The game continued to explode into life as Joel Asoro squared the ball to Molyneux who failed to beat Iliev one on one, and with 13 minutes remaining the Black Cats were made to pay as Akpom’s cool finish wrapped up the points.
Arsenal U23s: Iliev, Tutu, Reine-Adelaide (Sheaf 20), Debuchy (Medley 45), Olowu, Da Silva, Dragomir, Coquelin (Bola 45), Akpom, McGuane, Nketiah.
Subs not used: Virginia, Balogun.
Sunderland U23s: Talbot, Gamble, Hume, Beadling, Taylor, Embleton, McNair (Bale 45), Diamond (Nelson 75), Greenwood, Asoro, Maja (Molyneux 60).
Subs: Storey, Woud.