Arsenal under-21’s moved level on points with leaders Derby County as they returned to action with a 3-2 win against Blackburn at London Colney.
The headline team news for the Gunners was first-team captain Mikel Arteta starting in midfield as he stepped up his return to fitness. Ryan Huddart also started in goal with Matt Macey not in the squad and Hugo Keto deputising on the bench.
Steve Gatting’s side dominated the opening half, and lead with only six minutes on the clock. Jeff Reine-Adelaide scored his first Arsenal goal in the FA Youth Cup before Christmas, and opened his account at under-21 level when he lashed in a left-footed strike after a well-worked corner.
The lead could have been doubled on several occasions before half-time as Julio Pleguezelo hit the post with a header, Arteta shot wide from Reine-Adelaide’s scintillating back heel and Alex Iwobi went close after a flowing team move. Blackburn also went close before half-time went Dean Rittenberg shot from a narrow angle hit the post before flashing across the face of goal.
Arteta was substituted at half-time to make way for Ismael Bennacer, and early in the second half Arsenal doubled their lead. Ben Sheaf’s fine pass played in Reine-Adelaide who went around Ryan Crump in the Blackburn goal only to see his shot smothered on the line. However, Donyell Malen scored his eighth goal of the season at all levels when he turned him from close range.
The game looked to be over a few minutes later when Reine-Adelaide scored his second of the game from Malen’s pass after a clinical counter-attack when Blackburn lost the ball in midfield. But Blackburn fought back well, first Lewis Mansell acrobatically volleyed in after Huddart saved his initial header before producing a composed finish when through on goal. Mansell could have sealed his hat-trick and Blackburn’s comeback when played through on goal again, however Huddart came out on top this time with a big save to preserve Arsenal’s win.
The under-21’s are back in action on Monday away to West Brom as they seek to take advantage of their first of two games in hand to go clear at the top of the table.
