**UEFA Youth League**
**Bayern Munich 3 (Lambe 15, Osmani 30 (pen.), Della Rovere 90) Arsenal 3 (Abubakar 11, Salmon 68, Emerson Nwaneri 90)**
Emerson Nwaneri scored a late equaliser to secure what could be an important point as Arsenal U19s drew 3-3 away to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League today.
Hakeem Abubakar and Marli Salmon were also on the scoresheet for Arsenal in a tumultuous encounter, with David Horseman’s side having now taken four points from their first three games.
Salmon captained the team as he made his first appearance in the Youth League this season, while there were also starts for U18s full-backs Abraham Owusu-Gyasi and Abubakar.
Mylo Bernard was deployed on the right wing with Ceadach O’Neill up front and Andre Harriman-Annous on the left.
**Porter**
**Owusu Gyasi-Salmon-Upson-Abubakar**
**Murisa**
**Hashi-Julienne**
**Bernard-O’Neill-Harriman Annous**
**Subs: Emerson Nwaneri (for Julienne, 59), Ogunnaike (for Owusu-Gyasi, 59), Ibrahim (for Murisa, 59), Mbala (for Upson, 65), Munoz (for Bernard. 82). Not used: Ranson, Clarke, Tyjon, Maghoma.**
Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter had to race off his line to deal with the danger in the early stages before O’Neill’s effort at the other end hit the side-netting.
Salmon then lost possession but quickly redeemed himself with an impressive challenge.
Arsenal then hit the side-netting again through Mylo Bernard and the young Gunners subsequently took the lead as O’Neill played a short free-kick to Hashi, who in turn found Abubakar, with the left-back scoring with an impressive strike.
Bayern, however, managed to equalise just four minutes later as Elijah Upson failed to clear the ball properly and Allen Lambe took advantage to score.
Noah Codjo-Evora shot over for Bayern, who were then somewhat controversially awarded a penalty after Salmon caught Erblin Osmani.
Osmani stepped up to take the penalty himself and succeeded in giving Bayern the lead.
O’Neill found Harriman-Annous as Arsenal attempted to respond, but the latter shot wide.
Bayern then added a third goal with captain Guido Della Rovere scoring with a good finish.
Codjo-Evora threatened with another shot for Bayern early in the second half which went over.
Arsenal made a triple substitution as Josh Ogunnaike, Ife Ibrahim and Nwaneri all came on, with Abubakar moving to right-back.
Another alteration was required shortly afterwards with Upson suffering a hamstring injury and first year scholar Elyon Mbala coming on.
Arsenal looked to reduce the deficit and they managed to do just that as Hashi sent in a free-kick and Salmon, whose performance levels improved considerably in the second half, steered the ball home.
Porter had to make a good stop and then Nwaneri sent in a dangerous ball towards O’Neill, who couldn’t quite connect with it.
U15 prospect Luis Munoz then received another runout in this competition as he replaced Bernard.
Just when it seemed as if time was going to run out for Arsenal they managed to pull level, with Nwaneri finding the net with a powerful strike having been found by O’Neill.
It is a draw that will feel more like a victory for Arsenal given the circumstances and Horseman’s team showed a lot of spirit in the second half.
Some of the younger players, Abubakar and Mbala especially, gave good accounts of themselves, with Hashi also making an impact.
There were some bizarre tactical choices at times, such as playing Bernard on the right when he would surely have been more effective as a central striker.
The point sees Arsenal move up to 18th place in the Youth League, with only the top 22 making it through to the knockout stages.
There is still much hard work to do, with games to come against Slavia Prague (who are top of the table), Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Nwaneri’s goal, though, will certainly have increased Arsenal’s belief that they can finally progress beyond the league phase in this competition.