**Premier League 2**
**Arsenal 1 (Agustien 19) West Bromwich Albion 0**
**By Jeorge** **Bird @ Meadow Park,** **Borehamwood**
Arsenal were without the likes of Andre Harriman-Annous, Marli Salmon and Ceadach O’Neill.
Khari Ranson started in goal with Josh Ogunnaike deployed at centre-back.
12 of the players in the squad are still eligible to play for the U18s.
**Ranson**
**Hamill-Clarke-Ogunnaike-Washington**
**Ibrahim-Julienne**
**Agustien**
**Ferdinand-Mooney-****Bailey Joseph**
**Subs: Hashi (for Julienne, 46), Zecevic John (for Bailey-Joseph, 58). Not used: Porter, Owusu-Gyasi, Marciniak.**
Brayden Clarke, who was in action against his former club, made a good clearance early in the game with Ranson then making a save from a free kick.
West Brom had a further effort that was deflected over before Seb Ferdinand had Arsenal’s first opportunity of the game as he shot over following a corner.
In the 19th minute Arsenal took the lead and it was an impressive strike as Agustien scored with a neat finish against his former club.
West Brom continued to threaten thereafter, and winger Jack Bray was booked for diving in the penalty area.
Ranson then had to make a good save before Ogunnaike reacted well to close down another effort.
Arsenal made a substitution ahead of the second half as Maalik Hashi replaced Theo Julienne, who had suffered an injury.
West Brom had another opportunity and then Clarke made a superb goal-line clearance.
Louis Zecevic John came on in place of Brando Bailey-Joseph as Arsenal looked to increase their attacking momentum.
Hashi and Agustien tried their luck but there were still further chances for West Brom.
In stoppage time the Baggies had a final opportunity which went just wide.
The result sees Arsenal move up to 11th place, with their spot in the play-offs guaranteed ahead of the final game of the regular season against Crystal Palace.
Finishing in the top eight is still possible for Arsenal U21s – that would ensure a home game in the first play-off fixture.
It wasn’t the most dynamic performance from Arsenal but there was greater unity and cohesion amongst the team than in some previous matches.
There was some excellent defending from Arsenal, with the likes of Clarke and Marcell Washington especially impressive while Ranson did well as he kept a clean sheet.
Arsenal will hope that they can name as strong a lineup as possible in the play-offs, with some tough challenges likely to be in store.