Arsenal’s loss is England’s gain as Jack Wilshere survived an injury scare to score his first goal in 11 months for Arsenal’s under-21s.
Wilshere’s late bid for fitness may be too late for Arsenal depleted title challenge, but It may come just in time for Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad.
The 24-year-old played for Arsenal’s under-21s vs West Bromwich Albion’s under-21s, as he stepped up his bid to be included in Arsenal’s next premier league game. The young Guns needed three points to win the title, and guarantee promotion but fell short as goals from West Brom’s, Joe Ward and Samir Nabi ensured Arsenal’s only route to Division One would be via a playoff.
Arsenal started the game on the front foot and make-shift forward Serge Gnabry had the first effort of the game, only for the ‘keeper to save it from point-blank range as he was played through by fellow first-teamer Wilshere in the third minute.
Three minute’s later, the ball was bouncing around in Arsenal’s box, but West Brom’s Joe Ward eventually drilled the rebound under goalkeeper Matt Macey to give his side the lead.
A few minutes later Jeff Reine-Adelaide picked up the ball on the halfway line and managed to find his way to the edge of West Brom’s box, but could only drag his shot wide.
Gnabry missed again from point-blank range after he was played through by Dan Crowley but couldn’t capitalise on Robbie McCourt’s slip on the half hour mark.
During the second half, Arsenal dominated from the off again and finally got the breakthrough when Krystian Bielik powered through from defense and lofted the ball over to Wilshere, who then lobbed the ‘keeper to level the score after 50 minutes.
Ben Sheaf dragged two shots wide of the post in as many minutes as the young Guns smelt blood and pushed on for the winner.
The West-Midlands side caught Arsenal on the counter attack in the 75th minute, as the ball fell to Samir Nabi in the box who volleyed it past Macey.
Arsenal continued to press on but couldn’t find the back of the net again as substitute Donyell Malen missed from two yards in the 89th minute, and Crowley hit the post from a free-kick in stoppage time.
Although the under-21s failed to secure promotion, there was a slither of light as jack Wilshere played the full 90 minutes, although he did have a slight injury scare prior to his goal.
The Young Gunners will now have to await a playoff to secure promotion to Division One.
