Arsenal U21 6–3 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 – Premier League 2

Mehmet Ali’s talented young guns moved into second spot in Premier League 2 after easing past Brighton in a goal-packed clash at Meadow Park.

Amario Cozier-Duberry shone once again for the academy side as they brushed past Albion on Sunday afternoon.

Bradley Ibrahim opened the scoring for the young guns after only six minutes, firing home emphatically, following excellent play from the lively Cozier-Duberry.

The talented Cozier-Duberry nearly scored moments later when cutting inside to unleash a powerful shot that flew narrowly over Albion keeper Killian Cahill’s bar.

Mehmet Ali’s side doubled the home side’s lead on 23 minutes, when Khayon Edwards latched onto Ibrahim’s perceptive throughball into the box, to clinically slot past the increasingly beleaguered Cahill in the Brighton goal.

Worse was to come for the south coast outfit four minutes later, when the clinical Edwards made it 3-0 with a neat finish.

There were still five minutes left of the first half, when Jack Henry-Francis made the scoreline 4-0 when he finished past Cahill in fine style.

A hectic opening 45 minutes was rounded-off when Albion No9 and their top scorer at this level, Mark O’Mahony scored moments before the break for 4-1. 

The impressive Cozier-Duberry made it five shortly after the interval, to make it 5-1, prior to Brighton’s best player, O’Mahony, pulling a goal back for 5-2 moments later, to make it 11 for the season at this level.

In an entertaining match, Albion made it 5-3 when Josh Duffus beat Taylor Foran in the box, prior to finishing in style past Hein with 25 minutes still remaining.

There was still time for the impressive Cozier-Duberry to fire into the top corner after a driving run for 6-3 - to leave watching academy supremo Per Mertesacker feeding back the feeling that the youngster must be included in Mikel Arteta's first team squad for the Caraboa Cup clash at West Ham on Wednesday evening. 

Arsenal academy supreme Per Mertesacker watches on as Mehmet Ali’s young guns beat Brighton U21s 6-3 in an entertaining Premier League 2 clash here at Meadow Park pic.twitter.com/1cKVzi27rf

— Layth (@laythy29) October 29, 2023

Find out who impressed with our Player Ratings

Karl Hein: 7/10 - The 21-year-old Estonian made important blocks when called upon. Effective distribution when kicking longer.

Reuell Walters: 7/10 - Appears to have added aerial ability to his repertoire, when displaying authoritative heading power as part of a dominant backline

Ayden Heaven: 7/10 - Looked to link up with Charles Sagoe Jnr down the left flank

Taylor Foran: 7/10 - Showed courage at times when throwing himself into vital blocks. Headed over the bar when well-placed in Brighton’s box midway through the second half with the game won by then, even if he dived in and was beaten by Albion’s Josh Duffus to make it 5-3. Left the field with cramp late on 

Zane Monlouis: 7.5/10 - The Young Guns captain looked solid throughout. Headed over the Brighton bar in a crowded box midway through the second half

Bradley Ibrahim:  8/10 - Emphatically fired home early on after following up on excellent work out wide by Cozier-Duberry. Provided an assist for the Gunners second. Subbed at half time with his work done. Must surely be in the running for a place in Mikel Arteta’s first team squad for the Carabao Cup London derby at West Ham on Wednesday

Amario Cozier Duberry: 9/10 - Always lively, always a threat, never let the Albion backline settle. Was the catalyst for the opening goal when causing havoc after cutting in from the flank. Deserved his late strike after an outstanding showing

Jack Henry-Francis: 7.5/10 - Showed fine finishing ability when scoring Arsenal’s fourth goal after only 39 minutes when firing low past Cahill’s right hand

Khayon Edwards: 8/10 - Finished with aplomb to make it 2-0 after latching onto a perceptive ball into the box by Ibrahim. Showed his predatory instincts when finishing in style four minutes later for his second goal to all but seal victory for the Young Guns after only 27 minutes

Jimi Gower: 7/10 - Did the simple things well as he attempted to find pockets of space between the lines

Charles Sagoe Jnr: 7.5/10 - The talented attacker will be keen for further Carabao Cup involvement with the first team this week when Mikel Arteta’s side make the short trip across the capital to face West Ham on Wednesday. On this showing he certainly bolstered his cause. Improving all the time, especially when playing with his back to goal. Had a powerful second half effort blocked by Albion keeper Cahill 

Substitutes:

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7/10 - Replaced the impressive Ibrahim at the break

Chidozie Obi: 7.5/10 - A lively late cameo for the speed merchant after coming on for Khayon Edwards