Arsenal U21s produce strong performance to secure first pre-season win at Monaco

Arsenal U21s rounded off pre-season with a 2-0 victory over AS Monaco II at AS Monaco Performance Centre on Saturday.

The fixture marked the return of Marli Salmon, Josh Nichols, Andre Harriman-Annous, Ismeal Kabia, Louie Copley and Tommy Setford to the side – all of whom have been with the first team.

Centre-back Maldini Kacurri was named among the substitutes following his return from injury, while first-year scholar Brando Bailey-Joseph started the game.

The encounter began with a slow tempo, with either side struggling to create clear-cut chances.

Just before half-time, Setford had to make a point-blank save to deny Monaco from taking the lead, but Nichols still had to head the ball away to avert the danger posed by the French side.

Arsenal took the lead on the stroke of half-time, with a moment of quality from Kabia, whose thunderous shot from 25 yards landed in the top corner.

The Gunners started the second half on the front foot and came close to doubling their lead when Kabia brilliantly worked his way wide to cross to the far post for Copley.

The midfielder’s header looked goal-bound, only for a Monaco defender to make an excellent block and deny him from giving the away side a two-goal cushion.

Arsenal sealed the victory in added time with trialist Archie Stevens maneuvering his way into the box and calmly slotting the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

The result marked the young Gunners’ only victory in pre-season. They drew their first game against National League side Boreham Wood before losing four consecutive games.

They begin their Premier League 2 campaign against Fulham at Meadow Park on Friday evening.

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