Near the start of the train journey from Euston to Northampton you can see Wembley and Arsenal U21s’ hopes of playing at the famous stadium this season are still alive following a stellar second half display at Sixfields tonight.
With Cambridge United beating Ipswich Town, anything less than a win ultimately would have seen Arsenal knocked out of the Papa John’s Trophy but they have managed to make it out of the group stages again.
Arsenal fell behind after just eight minutes as 16-year-old Joshua Tomlinson became Northampton’s youngest ever scorer.
The young Gunners had lacked a little vibrancy in the first half but they were far more fluid as the game wore on, with Zach Awe equalising before fantastic finishes from Amario Cozier-Duberry and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji secured the victory.
Arsenal’s cause was aided by the introduction just after the hour mark of two hugely talented schoolboys in Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the latter making his debut at this level.
Coach Mehmet Ali was able to call upon first-team goalkeeper Karl Hein for a rare appearance but Khayon Edwards and Catalin Cirjan were absent due to commitments with the senior team.
Hein
Walters-Foran-Awe-Sousa
Ibrahim
M. Smith-Henry Francis
Cozier Duberry-Butler Oyedeji-Sagoe Jr
Subs: Lewis-Skelly (for Ibrahim, 62), Nwaneri (for Sagoe Jr, 63), Ideho (for Cozier-Duberry, 75), Kacurri (for Butler-Oyedeji, 90). Not used: Hillson, Taylor-Hart.
Arsenal made an encouraging start in terms of keeping possession but they were soon pinned back by Northampton, with Zach Awe having to react quickly to divert the ball behind for a corner.
From that set-piece Northampton took the lead as Tomlinson scored with a header.
Arsenal appeared somewhat rattled by conceding early and Lino Sousa then lost the ball, with Hein having to intervene in order to clear the danger.
Cozier-Duberry had an effort saved but Northampton continued to look the stronger side and Hein was called into action again to make a save.
Eventually Arsenal managed to exert more pressure on Northampton and Matt Smith’s free-kick found Awe, who had a header saved, with Charles Sagoe Jr then seeing a curling effort kept out.
Hein was forced to make another save and then Arsenal had the final opportunity of the first half as Smith sent the ball in towards Butler-Oyedeji, but the latter’s header was saved.
The second half started in familiar fashion with Northampton continuing to cause problems for Arsenal and Hein having to be alert again.
Finally, though, Arsenal appeared to flick a switch and become more like their usual selves.
Sagoe Jr’s shot was saved and then Arsenal pulled level, with Awe steering the ball into the back of the net following a good delivery from Smith.
Smith was becoming increasingly influential, with the midfielder then seeing a free-kick pushed over the crossbar.
An inspired double substitution then added to Arsenal’s momentum as Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri replaced Ibrahim and Sagoe Jr.
Nwaneri took up a position on the left wing and immediately looked to push Arsenal forward, while Lewis-Skelly was typically dynamic in midfield, with neither player fazed by the task that they faced.
Arsenal were playing with more confidence and it eventually paid dividends as an impressive break culminated in Butler-Oyedeji finding Cozier-Duberry, who finished in style.
Goals had eluded Cozier-Duberry for a little while but his quality is always clear and he was delighted to get back on the scoresheet.
The game wasn’t over yet as Northampton threatened following a corner.
Arsenal continued to cause problems down the other end, with Henry-Francis and Butler-Oyedeji growing into the game after a slow start.
Henry-Francis twisted and turned in the box prior to having a shot blocked.
Joel Ideho, who had replaced Cozier-Duberry, shot wide after being found by Nwaneri, with the latter’s range of impressive passing on display.
Arsenal went on to add a third goal with Butler-Oyedeji getting his reward for his persistence as he finished adroitly following a break down field after being found by Ideho.
That was Butler-Oyedeji’s final action before being replaced by first year scholar Maldini Kacurri.
Five minutes were added and there were more to follow after Lino Sousa needed treatment before recovering from a knock.
The whistle eventually blew and Arsenal remain involved in the Papa John’s Trophy, a competition that is so beneficial for development.
Cozier-Duberry kept battling and gave a good account of himself again, while the likes of Butler-Oyedeji and Henry-Francis grew into the game.
The cameos from Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri were of a very high standard and offer a lot of encouragement for the future.
After finishing second in the group behind Ipswich, the Wembley dream is still alive for Arsenal U21s.
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