Arsenal U23s 2-2 Manchester United U23s: Nicky Butt's men battle back to earn a draw at the Emirates Stadium
* Nicky Butt's Manchester United U23s fought back from 2-0 down to earn a draw
* Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah scored just after the half-hour mark for Arsenal
* United showed resolve through Josh Harrop and a Chiori Johnson own goal
Perhaps Jose Mourinho should take some advice from Manchester United’s reserve team on how to contend with positions of adversity at Arsenal.
On Sunday afternoon it was goals from Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck, timed three minutes apart, that did for Mourinho’s lacklustre stars at the Emirates Stadium.
Just over 24 hours later, on the same pitch, their under-23s suffered an identical fate as Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah scored for the Gunners within the same time frame in the first-half.
But in contrast to Mourinho’s seniors, Nicky Butt’s second string refused to capitulate and, in a manner more befitting of United’s tradition, fought back brilliantly to earn a draw.
Josh Harrop halved the deficit as this contest entered its final 20 minutes and an own goal from Chiori Johnson late on earned United a share of the spoils.
Admittedly, it might all have been different had Donyell Malen not seen his spot-kick saved by United keeper Kieran O’Hara in between the two strikes but this was more like it.
Not that this draw changed a great deal. Arsenal stay in fourth position in the Premier League 2, something no doubt the watching Arsene Wenger will gladly accept from here in the real Premier League.
Manchester United U23s earned a draw against Arsenal after coming back from 2-0 down. Harrop managed to get his side back into the game when he netted after 72 minutes
But there was plenty for the Frenchman to enjoy, not least the performances of Nketiah and the lightning-quick left-back Cohen Bramall, who created the two goals.
It could also be the last time he watches Carl Jenkinson in Arsenal colours as the defender continued his adventures with the reserves. Surely he’ll be on the move this summer.
But by the end, after a second-half resurgence that seemed so unlikely, United deserved their point.
There were some curiosities on the teamsheets, with three brothers by the name of Willock on display.
The eldest, Matty, started for United, with middle sibling Chris opposite him in the Arsenal line-up. Joe, the youngest, was named on the Arsenal bench.
Then there was the United captain, Scott McTominay, playing once again at the Emirates just over 24 hours after he replaced Juan Mata for his first-team debut on Sunday.
It’s not been a brilliant season for United at under-23 level and they entered the contest just above the relegation places, although mathematically there was no chance of them going down.
But they knew a win here and in their final fixture against Tottenham could lift them to a more face-saving sixth place, and Butt’s side duly started brightly.
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MATCH FACTS
Arsenal: Macey; Jenkinson, Johnson, Sheaf (c), Bramall; Kamara, Maitland-Niles; Mourgos (Dragomir 89), Nelson (J Willock 46), C Willock; Nketiah (Malen 46)
Substitutes not used: Keto (GK); Olowu
Scorers: Nelson 33; Nketiah 36
Manchester United: O’Hara; Olosunde, Warren, Borthwick-Jackson, Mitchell; Scott (Kehinde 46), M Willock; Gribbin (Hamilton 60), McTominay (c) (Dearnley 63), Harrop; Bohui
Substitutes not used: Richardson (GK); Whelan
Scorers: Harrop 72; Johnson own goal 85
Booked: Kehinde
Referee: Dean Treleaven (West Sussex)
Attendance: 2,573
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They fashioned the game’s first opening on six minutes, with Harrop denied by the feet of Arsenal keeper Matt Macey after good work on the right by Callum Gribbin to centre.
But as the first-half wore on, Arsenal found their stride and Savvas Mourgos really should have scored after ghosting through a static United defence onto Nketiah’s through ball. His shot finished well wide of the far post, to United’s relief.
Mourgos should have broken the deadlock after Jenkinson found him in shooting space inside the box, but Cameron Borthwick-Jackson utilised his first-team experience to block. Moments later, as Arsenal attacked again, Nketiah fired over the top.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has been shifted effectively from winger to an all-action central midfielder this season, then headed wide as Arsenal continued to put United under pressure.
A goal seemed inevitable and so it proved. Bramall tore into space behind enemy lines and had two or three red shirts in the centre to aim at.
Scott McTominay captained United just a day after replacing Juan Mata for the senior side
His cross was low, drilled across the six-yard box and beyond the reach of O’Hara. Nelson supplied the finish, sliding in from a couple of yards out for his sixth Premier League 2 goal of the season.
And just as Mourinho’s seniors failed to keep their concentration immediately after conceding on Sunday, so it proved here for the reserves.
Barely three minutes later and Nketiah was allowed sufficient space to twist inside the penalty area after receiving Bramall’s pass and fire home his 23rd goal of the season for the youth and reserve sides combined.
United were buoyed by the save and Joshua Bohui had golden opportunities for the visitors
Before the Red Devils forward fired for goal, which took a deflection off Chiori Johnson's boot
Arsenal relaxed in the second-half, though Joe Willock, who came on to complete a family hat-trick of appearances on the night, fired wide.
Indeed, some of Arsenal’s passing at the back invited pressure and Matty Willock saw an effort blocked and another saved by Macey, while Joshua Bohui was thwarted by Ben Sheaf’s well-timed tackle.
From Harrop’s corner, Bohui saw his powerful header turned over the top by Macey, and Harrop then gave United their brief flicker of hope.
Malen won his penalty following a neat turn inside the box, but O’Hara read his mind, diving low to his left to make a strong, one-handed save.
That seemed to give United a second wind and, after Harrop weaved his way into the box and fired for goal, it took a deflection of Johnson’s boot and wrong-footed Macey.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4486004/Arsenal-U23s-2-2-Manchester-United-U23s-Butt-s-men-draw.html