Premier League 2

Arsenal U21s 1 (Robinson 53’)

Leeds United U21s 1 (Allen 33’)

Arsenal:  Ejeheri (GK), Robinson (Dudziak 88’), Sweet (C), Kacurri, Heaven, Rosiak, Cozier-Duberry, Gower, Butler-Oyedeji, Oulad M’hand (Jeffcott 88’), Kamara (Kabia 76’). Subs not used: Graczyk, Oyetunde.

Leeds: van den Heuvel (GK), Cline (Debayo 57’), Sutcliffe, Coleman, Moore, Monteiro, Allen, Crew (C) (Toulson 70’), Perkins, Snowdon (Spencer 46’), Thomas (McFadden 65’). Subs not used: Mahady.

Referee: Richard Eley

Booked: Perkins (Leeds)

Venue: Meadow Park

Leeds United Under-21s earned another deserved point on the road with an impressive 1-1 draw at Arsenal Under-21s in the Premier League 2.

Charlie Allen’s well-taken opener got the ball rolling for Scott Gardner’s side at Meadow Park, before Joshua Robinson grabbed an equaliser for the hosts shortly after the break.

The hosts started brightly, with attacking talents Ismail Ouland M’hand and Amario Cozier-Duberry causing the Whites problems early on.

Oulad M’hand first stepped up to strike a fierce quick free kick towards goal from the left, rippling the side netting with United keeper Dani van den Heuvel at full stretch.

Cozier-Duberry then cut in from the right flank onto his favoured left foot, curling a dangerous effort just wide of the far post from outside the area.

The Arsenal winger almost put the hosts into the lead moments later, only to be denied by a stunning save from van den Heuvel from close range, with the visitors defending the following corner well.

After weathering the initial Gunners pressure, Gardner’s side began to enjoy much more of the ball and looked a threat on the break.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Richard Eley when Charlie Allen’s powerful effort was charged down inside the area, before the Whites came within inches of taking the lead.

Cuba Cline’s deep delivery to the back post caused all sorts of problems for Arsenal keeper Ovie Ejeheri who dropped the ball into the path of Luca Thomas, seeing his first-time effort agonisingly hit the post after good Arsenal defending.

The pressure was beginning to mount and eventually told just after the half hour mark, when Allen brilliantly latched onto a loose back pass from Arsenal skipper James Sweet.

Through on goal, the Northern Irish forward struck low beyond the despairing dive of Ejeheri to put the Whites a goal to the good!

United keeper van den Heuvel was in inspired form between the posts for his side, making a stunning reaction save to tip over Michal Rosiak’s close range header. The offside flag went up on the far side, but the Dutchman wasn’t to know as he acrobatically tipped over.

HALF TIME: Arsenal U21 0-1 Leeds United U21

Arsenal dominated the early stages of the second half, with van den Heuvel saving striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji's header well from close range. Moments later however, the hosts did get back on level terms as defender Joshua Robinson fired home from the edge of the area.

The Gunners almost took the lead shortly after the restart through Butler-Oyedeji, but his close-range effort was brilliantly saved once again by van den Heuvel before the Whites dealt with the resulting corner.

Despite digging in for long spells, Leeds continued to offer a threat on the break. A quick ball into the path of Sonny Perkins on the right was brought down well by the forward who darted into the box, chopping one way and then another before seeing a right-footed effort blocked well by Sweet on the hour mark.

Cozier-Duberry continued to impress on the right for the hosts, swinging in a dangerous cross to the back post looking for Butler-Oyedeji, with United's Harvey Sutcliffe well placed to head clear.

Three minutes from time, Arsenal were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position on the left. Rosiak stepped up and whipped a curling effort towards goal, but the ball deflected behind off goalscorer Allen as the Leeds defence stood firm.

In the dying moments, substitute Morten Spencer looked to have grabbed a winner for the Whites as he tapped home following great play from Perkins, only to be denied by the offside flag for an earlier infringement in the buildup.

FULL TIME: Arsenal U21 1-1 Leeds United U21