Prolific 17-year-old forward Eddie Nketiah scored the winner as Arsenal’s Under-23s beat Derby County 2-1 on Friday.
Nketiah, who hit a hat-trick against Leicester City’s youngsters in November and last season hit 24 goals in 28 appearances for the Gunners’ Under-18s, converted after a fine pass from Savvas Mourgos.
The 18-year-old Mourgos had given Arsenal the lead in the first half having been sent clear by Ismael Bennacer’s beautifully weighted left-footed through ball.
Timi Elsnik levelled for the Rams after the break but Nketiah – a former Chelsea trainee who joined Arsenal a few years ago – pounced for the winner following Mourgos’ good work.
Meanwhile, also in Premier League 2, Connor Ogilvie earned Tottenham‘s Under-23s a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
Mason Mount had given the Blues the lead early on when he whipped in a brilliant free-kick from just outside the box but Spurs levelled six minutes before the break when Shayon Harrison headed in from Nathan Oduwa’s cross.
Dominic Solanke restored Chelsea’s lead 10 minutes into the second half, collecting Mukhtar Ali’s threaded pass before hitting a firm left-footed shot into the far corner.
Spurs equalised again almost immediately, as Joe Pritchard’s corner was met by an excellent glancing header from Ogilvie on the corner of the six-yard box.