Gunners steal a late equalizer against Everton U23s

Cracking goal by Broadhead from Mallon's cross.

Really good goal, wasn't it Brent?

Nice turn and drag back by Rhys Hughes in midfield who laid in Mallon who never took his eyes off the ball, didn't even look up to see where to hit the cross. One touch to get it out of his feet, superb back post cross, a very alert Broadhead to stab it home.

Quality.

Just watching that, Brent. I see Mallon came on for Iversen mid way through the first half. Why did he go off?

Yes, very good goal that Brent, and good cross by Mallon.

Thanks for your shout on the game, I caught the goal at half-time. Unfortunately, I'm going out now for my daily walk, to the Pier Head and back, so will miss the second half.

Michael, looked as if his knee twisted - possibly ligament or cartilage damage??

Thanks, Brent. That's a bit worrying... but, as we know only too well, injuries are part of the game. (Who said that?)

1-1. Arsenal number 9 (Balogun??) brought the ball from almost the halfway line unchallenged and slotted it home.

Very poor in our midfield leaving that amount of space for Balogun to run with the ball in, no communication as to whom is going forward and who’s staying back. A well deserved goal though.

Onyango second yellow in final minute. Handbags.

1-1 final score

Not a game to get excited about. Some really sloppy passing out of defence. Thought Price looked good. And Onyango better after a quiet start? Kyle John impressed again - he's built like a defender and good going forward - strong lad.

Better 2nd half, Arsenal controlled most of it and Everton stood off the Arsenal lad and he’d ran almost from the half way line to the edge of out box and finished well.

Tyrer played well, and on reflection a good point for Everton.

A scrappy game for us. I thought Onyango looked tired 2nd half but was still running at the end, that's an appalling decision from the ref to send him off.

I thought Mallon did well in his first U23s game, he's got a decent size about him. Could be a way forward at right-back for him in future years. 5 U18s on the pitch with 10 mins ago, great experience for these kids.

Started the 2nd half well, but Arsenal grew increasingly dominant. Very sloppy passing and control letting them come on to us wave after wave.

Price and Hughes leaving the ball to each other in the centre circle cheaply turned the ball over for their goal and the lad ran unchallenged to the edge of our area to shoot home.

Very petty referee. Gave a flurry of yellow cards to 3 Everton players in 5 minutes for nothing offences. Onyango justifiably peeved in the final minute when running through on goal to be cynically fouled. Arsenal player rightly booked. Overkill to give Tyer a 2nd yellow card for some handbags.

No-one pushing for a start or sub appearance for the 1st team on this showing.

What did you guys think of Onyango? Is he first team material?

Dave (15) - Yes. He is. Maybe not this very minute, but I reckon he'll be able to step up entirely into the first team picture from pre-season. He's got huge potential.

In terms of the second yellow for Onyango, I think he gave the referee the option of booking him by firstly pushing the Arsenal player, and then secondly by squaring up to him and leading slightly with his head. It wasn't violent, and he was rightly frustrated to have been hacked down from behind, but as soon as you raise your hands or square up to another player and make any contact with your head then you are allowing the referee to brandish a card of one colour or another. It's a good lesson to learn.

As for his first booking, well that was about as soft as I can remember.

Dave @15, I like the lad he has a bit of nark, and I think can develope.

He reminds me a bit of Felli, but it remains to be seen, like all young players, it’s how much they want it.

But there’s a few decent prospects in the u17, and U23s, let’s see what, the summer brings.