The Arsenal u21s may have failed to gain promotion back to the top-tier of second-string football last season, but they started the new campaign in a positive fashion last night by beating Fulham 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The margin of victory may have been a slender one, but it didn’t reflect the dominance that the young Gunners exhibited over proceedings for the majority of the game.
Gedion Zelalem, who was impressive for the United States at the u20 World Cup recently, scored the late winner and was perhaps Arsenal’s stand-out performer as he dictated play from a deep-lying midfield position.
Alex Iwobi, who caught the eye in the Emirates Cup, also featured prominently against Fulham, with the youngster making several incisive runs and linking up play to good effect.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who also hit the headlines in the Emirates Cup, didn’t quite match his pre-season showings, but the French youngster still made something of an impact, whilst another summer arrival, striker Yassin Fortune, was introduced for his debut at this level in the second-half.
Arsenal were largely untroubled defensively, with Krystian Bielik deployed at centre-back alongside Julio Pleguezuelo.
There was also a first u21 start for Ben Sheaf, who was strangely utilised on the right-wing despite being most at home as a central-midfielder.
Sheaf was named player of the tournament as Arsenal won an u19 competition in South Africa recently and seems set for a productive season with further opportunities likely to come his way at u21 level as the season progresses.
This is a very exciting Arsenal u21 side, particularly in an attacking sense and also when it is considered that Steve Gatting was without the likes of Chris Willock, Kaylen Hinds and Tyrell Robinson for yesterday’s game.
Arsenal’s campaign continues against Derby County next week as Gatting’s team seek to take another step in the right direction.
