Arsenal U21s host Brighton tomorrow night, with Max Porter’s side still looking for their first win of the season.
After losing to Fulham in the opening game, Arsenal showed excellent resilience to salvage a point away to Nottingham Forest last time out as they drew 2-2 after trailing 2-0.
Seb Ferdinand scored the equaliser after coming on as a substitute in that game and will hope to feature more prominently on this occasion.
Another player who is pushing for a start is Ife Ibrahim, with the defensive midfielder having impressed as a substitute in the last two matches.
The front three of Ismeal Kabia, Andre Harriman-Annous and Charles Sagoe Jr have continued to provide a threat, while it remains to be seen if defender Marli Salmon will be available to feature after suffering an injury last time out.
Ceadach O’Neill has excelled for the U18s recently, scoring five goals in three games already this season. The youngster has also received his first callup to the Northern Ireland U21 squad and has thrived as a striker having previously mainly been used as a winger.
O’Neill, who already has a professional contract after joining from Linfield last year, featured for Arsenal U21s in pre-season and will hope that he will soon receive his first competitive callup at that level.
Brighton, meanwhile, have taken maximum points from their first two games so this is unlikely to be an easy task. Nehemiah Oriola is amongst the Brighton players to look out for.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird