Our under-21s kicked off their pre-season campaign with a promising 2-2 draw against National League side Boreham Wood at Mangata Pay UK Stadium.
The hosts took the lead inside the opening minute when a low cross into the box was tapped home by Matt Rush.
However, we responded well and found the equaliser just ten minutes later. After some slick build-up with Louis Zecevic John, Alex Marciniak kept his composure and slotted a tidy finish into the bottom corner.
We came close to going ahead midway through the first half when Ceadach O’Neill picked out Theo Julienne in space, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
After the interval, our youngsters started brightly. Charles Sagoe Jr forced a smart save after linking up neatly with Seb Ferdinand as we looked to take control.
That pressure paid off after the hour when Maalik Hashi, just moments after coming off the bench, capitalised on a defensive mix-up and calmly tucked the ball into the net to put us 2-1 up.
But Boreham Wood grabbed a late equaliser when the ball ricocheted around the box and eventually fell to Junior Dixon, who rifled his effort past the keeper to level the score.
### What’s Next
Our young Gunners are back in action for their second pre-season game on Tuesday, July 15, as they travel to Clarence Park to take on St Albans City.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm (UK time).
### Team News
**Boreham Wood**: Ashmore, Coxe, Bush, Sousa, Whelan, Abdulmalik (O’Connell 63), Newton, Henry (Trialist B 63), Reynolds (Trialist C 63), Clayden, Rush (Dixon 70)
**Subs not used**: Ilesanmi, Benton, King, Trialist A, Busse
**Arsenal**: Nygaard (Ranson 46), Hamill (Ismail 46), Clarke (King 60), Chapman (Onyekachukwu 46), Washington (Ogunnaike 46), Julienne (Murisa 46), Ferdinand (Hashi 60), Marciniak (Thompson 46), O’Neill (Bailey-Joseph 46), Sagoe Jr (Phillips 60), Zecevic John (Oyetunde 46)
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