**Premier League 2**
**Arsenal 1 (Butler-Oyedeji 55) Sunderland 2 (Tutierov 5, Neill 82)**
Trialist Lennon Patterson played 45 minutes as Arsenal U21s suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to Sunderland tonight.
Sunderland took the lead through Tymur Tutierov after just five minutes but Arsenal, who improved in the second half, eventually managed to equalise through captain Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
However, Sunderland scored what proved to be the winner late on courtesy of Marcus Neill.
Patterson, who is contracted to Wolves, demonstrated that he is a good crosser of the ball, although he seems more suited to playing as a wing-back than an orthodox left-back.
Harrison Dudziak started as the deepest midfielder, while Lucas Nygaard was called upon in goal with Tommy Setford likely to be involved with the first-team against Crystal Palace in midweek.
**Nygaard**
**Robinson-Monlouis-Heaven-Patterson**
**Dudziak**
**Gower-Salah Eddine**
**Kabia-Edwards-Butler Oyedeji**
**Subs: Nichols (for Patterson, 46), Harriman-Annous (for Kabia, 86), I. Oulad M’hand (for Dudziak, 90). Not used: Okonkwo, Kacurri.**
Sunderland put Arsenal under pressure in the early stages with Nygaard making a save after initially giving the ball away.
The visitors then had a penalty claim turned down following a challenge from Patterson.
With just five minutes gone Sunderland took the lead as Tutierov found the net, much to the frustration of Arsenal coach Mehmet Ali, who was livid that his team lost three duels in the buildup.
Sunderland immediately sought to build on their lead, with Nygaard having to make an impressive stop.
Butler-Oyedeji had an effort deflected wide as Arsenal looked to pull themselves level but Sunderland went into the break in the ascendancy.
It was a disappointing first half from Arsenal but they emerged for the second period with much determination.
There was a change ahead of the second period with Josh Nichols replacing Patterson.
Nygaard had to make a save at the start of the second half but then Arsenal started to cause problems for their opponents.
Salah-Eddine had a shot deflected wide and Dudziak’s attempt was then saved.
After much pressure Arsenal eventually equalised as Butler-Oyedeji finished well after being found by Jimi Gower.
Kabia and Edwards had chances before Sunderland’s Joe Anderson squared up to Salah-Eddine, with both players being booked.
Sunderland hit the crossbar and soon afterwards they went back in front as Marcus Neill scored after Nygaard kept out the initial effort.
Arsenal brought on first year scholar Andre Harriman-Annous for Kabia before Salah-Eddine hit the crossbar.
There was an other change late on as Ismail Oulad M’hand came on for Dudziak.
Arsenal had a free-kick late on, with Nygaard going up for it but Sunderland held on to take all three points.
It will be disappointing for Arsenal to suffer a defeat after an improved second half but Ali’s team have now won just one of their last six games in Premier League 2.
Arsenal struggled in the first half but their second half display will offer some encouragement.
Butler-Oyedeji was impressive in the second period but he and several other members of this team could well look to move on and play first-team football of some description in the second half of the season.