**Premier League 2**
**Arsenal 2 (Scanlon 33, Harriman-Annous 90) Sunderland 2 (Samuel-Ogunsuyi 16, 49)**
Arsenal U21s are still searching for their first league win of the season despite salvaging a point against 10-man Sunderland through a late equaliser from Andre Harriman-Annous.
First year scholar Emerson Nwaneri started on the right wing, while Evan Mooney was up front with Andre Harriman-Annous on the left.
Marli Salmon captained the side as he partnered Jaden Dixon at centre-back.
Recent signing Mylo Bernard received his first callup at this level as he was named on the bench.
**Ranson**
**Clarke-Salmon-Dixon-Washington**
**Ibrahim**
**O’Neill-Scanlon**
**Emerson Nwaneri-Mooney-Harriman Annous**
**Subs: Bernard (for Mooney, 58), Upson (for Dixon, 58), Julienne (for Salmon, 58), Hashi (for O’Neill, 58), Murisa (for Ibrahim, 72). Not used: Porter, Ogunnaike.**
Dixon demonstrated his defensive capabilities in the early exchanges before Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson was forced into a save.
Harriman-Annous saw an effort deflected for a corner but it was Sunderland who took the lead as striker Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi scored with a header following a corner.
Arsenal looked to respond immediately as Emerson Nwaneri found Harriman-Annous, whose effort was deflected for a corner.
The young Gunners then managed to equalise in rather bizarre circumstances. Sunderland goalkeeper Joe Cowan waited until the last possible moment before attempting to pick the ball up but he got caught out as Mooney seized possession and found James Scanlon, who slotted home for his third goal in four Premier League 2 matches since joining Arsenal.
It was a frustrating start to the second half for Arsenal as in the 49th minute Samuel-Ogunsuyi got his and Sunderland’s second goal of the game as he put Ranson under pressure.
Arsenal eventually responded with a quadruple substitution as Maalik Hashi, Theo Julienne, Elijah Upson and Bernard all came on, the latter making his first appearance for Arsenal at this level.
Ife Ibrahim saw an effort tipped wide, with Teshaun Murisa then replacing him in midfield.
Hashi added greater vibrancy to Arsenal’s midfield and he did well to find Harriman-Annous but the attacker couldn’t quite connect properly.
Sunderland were reduced to ten men when Ajibola Alese was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Arsenal continued to increase the pressure and were eventually rewarded for their efforts as Harriman-Annous scored after further good work from Murisa and Hashi.
Despite their best efforts Arsenal weren’t able to get a winner and they find themselves in 21st place out of 31 teams in Premier League 2.
This game was a good opportunity for some of the U18 players, with Emerson Nwaneri showing glimpses of his ability and the likes of Murisa, Hashi and Bernard making an impact as substitutes.
Overall, however, there still appears to be a lack of cohesion in the team, which isn’t helped by the constant rotation and the fact that players are often switching between different positions during games.
There are some talented players in this U21 squad but it is difficult to envisage the team building up much in the way of consistency in these circumstances.