Donyell Malen scored a superb winner as Arsenal under-21s came from behind to win 2-1 at Brighton and bounce back from their defeat to Stoke last time out.
The Dutch striker signed from Ajax in the summer was not in the starting XI on the original team sheet, however, a late decision saw him replace Stephy Mavididi in the line-up. Calum Chambers also started in an unfamiliar central midfield role in place of Crowley while Jeff Reine-Adelaide replaced Kaylen Hinds in the other change from the side that were beaten by Stoke.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the early stages of the game, with Brighton’s Rob Hunt clipping a shot against the crossbar from distance before Malen drifted inside and smacked a fine strike against the other crossbar. However, it was to be Brighton who made the early breakthrough. After Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Macey scrambled a deflected shot round the post, the resulting corner was swung in with Macey unable to get anywhere near the ball and Connor Goldson headed in the simplest of goals.
Arsenal dominated the rest of the first half with both Ben Sheaf and Alex Iwobi coming close to equalising, but with just three minutes in the second half gone the equaliser finally arrived. After Chris Willock was fouled twenty yards out, Sheaf stepped up and curled a delightful free kick over the wall and into the net past the outstretched hand of Niki Maenpaa.
Iwobi looked certain to put Arsenal in front after being picked out by Sheaf in the penalty area, but his first effort was blocked by Goldson and his follow-up was somehow kept out by Maenpaa.
Malen is only 16 but showed the composure of a seasoned striker to put Arsenal in front for the first time. Macey’s clearance from a loose ball did not initially appear to be the best, but it somehow ran on to Malen and he made the most of his good fortune. He showed blistering pace to breeze away from one Brighton defender and with Maenpaa rushing out, Malen coolly chipped the ball into the net to put Arsenal 2-1 up.
Mavididi could have rounded off the victory late on as Arsenal continued to dominate but failed to turn in Glen Kamara’s cross after some wonderful interplay on the edge of the area. The under-21s next play on the 14th of December away to West Ham as they continue to try and gain promotion to the first division.
