**EFL Trophy group stages**
**AFC** **Wimbledon 1 (Maycock 48) Arsenal U21s 2 (Mooney 72, Emerson Nwaneri 87)**
Emerson Nwaneri scored a late winner as Arsenal U21s beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 tonight to secure their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.
Despite losing 5-1 to Barnet in their opening game in this competition this season, Arsenal bounced back to overcome Leyton Orient before taking all three points on this occasion.
David Horseman’s side have lacked consistency in Premier League 2 but deserve credit for their last two displays in this competition.
Horseman gave opportunities to several players who have impressed at U19 level, including Abraham Owusu-Gyasi, Hakeem Abubakar, Teshaun Murisa, Mylo Bernard and Nwaneri. There was also a start for Igor Tyjon, while schoolboy goalkeeper Charlie Phillips received his first competitive callup at this level as he was named on the bench.
**Ranson**
**Owusu Gyasi-Upson-Dixon-Abubakar**
**Murisa**
**Julienne-Scanlon**
**Bernard-Tyjon-Emerson Nwaneri**
**Subs: Ibrahim (for Murisa, 56), Stevens (for Tyjon, 58), Mooney (for Bernard, 67), Clarke (for Dixon, 67), Ogunnaike (for Upson, 70). Not used: C. Phillips, Agustien.**
Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson had to make a save early on to thwart Aron Sasu, with the young Gunners then carving out their first chance of the game as Theo Julienne played in Mylo Bernard, whose effort went over.
James Scanlon then had a shot saved before Elijah Upson made an important defensive intervention at the other end.
Ranson made another stop and it was then Arsenal’s turn to attack again as Julienne was denied.
It was a lively start to the second half, with Steven Sessegnon shooting over for AFC Wimbledon, with the same player then turning provider for Callum Maycock, who found the back of the net.
Arsenal attempted to respond as Nwaneri found Tyjon, who shot wide.
A double change followed with Ife Ibrahim and Archie Stevens replacing Murisa and Tyjon.
Stevens has been effective in this competition this season and that proved to be the case again as he played in Nwaneri, whose attempt was pushed away.
Shortly afterwards Stevens crested another opportunity, this time for Bernard, who shot over.
An AFC Wimbledon effort rattled the crossbar in what was now a chaotic encounter, but Arsenal then managed to pull themselves level.
Josh Ogunnaike, who had just been brought on, played an effective long ball into the path of Nwaneri, with the latter finding substitute Evan Mooney, who made no mistake in scoring.
A defeat would have sent Arsenal out of the competition but they now had hope of progressing, even after the hosts had struck the post.
Just when it seemed as if the game would end in a draw, Nwaneri, as he has demonstrated he has a habit of doing, made a decisive impact at the crucial moment.
The 16-year-old, who it shouldn’t be forgotten is the youngest Arsenal player in his age group, scored late on having been found by Stevens.
The final whistle then blew as Arsenal’s place in the knockout stages was confirmed.
It has been a somewhat strange season so far for the U21s with players constantly being rotated, even during matches. Tonight, though, the substitutes had an impact, with Mooney scoring and Stevens making a key contribution.
Nwaneri was the hero with the winning goal and it will be intriguing to see what the next challenge will be for Arsenal U21s in this competition.