By Connor Armstrong at St. George's Park

SUMMARY

Chuba Akpom scored a brace as the Gunners picked up their first three points of the Premier League 2 season.

Steve Gatting’s side hit their straps from the off, storming into the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Chris Willock stroked the ball past Henrich Ravas.

The second goal of an exhilarating opening 45 minutes came when Akpom side-footed past Ravas as the visitors continued to surge forward in numbers.

The Gunners' lead was extended further when Akpom held off a defender before burying the ball inside the far post with his left foot.

Chuba Akpom

The hosts hit back from the penalty spot when Charles Vernam found the bottom left corner of the goal.

Despite this, Arsenal held their nerve to see out the game and record a first league win.

SETTING THE SCENE

Gatting made five changes to the starting line up at St. George’s Park.

Hugo Keto stepped in to replace Matt Macey in goal, while Chiori Johnson and Marc Bola both returned to the starting XI.

Gedion Zelalem partnered Ben Sheaf in midfield, with Ismael Bennacer among the substitutes.

Akpom retained his place in attack, supported by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stephy Mavididi and Willock.

Vlad Dragomir also dropped to the bench, while Kostas Pileas and Jeff Reine-Adelaide were not involved.

FIRST HALF

The Gunners got off to a roaring start, finding the net after just six minutes when Willock slotted home after Akpom spotted the opening.

Akpom threatened to make it 2-0 soon afterwards, but Ravas was equal to his attempt, before springing back up to deny Mavididi on the follow up.

Play video Watch Arsenal video online 01:30 'Everyone's clicking on and off the pitch

The England Under-21 forward didn’t have to wait too much longer before finding the net, side-footing past Ravas as Arsenal continued to carve the hosts open.

Zelalem tried his luck with an audacious lobbed effort just two minutes later, but Ravas was alert enough to back-pedal and flick the ball over the crossbar.

A breakneck counter-attack from Gatting’s side almost yielded a third goal, but Ben Sheaf’s left-footed strike failed to trouble Ravas after some promising build-up involving Akpom and Maitland-Niles.

SECOND HALF

Arsenal continued to dictate the tempo at the start of the second period, going close to adding another goal when Willock, Akpom and Mavididi played some smart one-touch football before the latter saw his powerful strike turned behind.

The Rams gave the Gunners cause for concern moments later, when Kyron Stabana’s floated cross caught the wind and required attention from Keto.

Gatting’s side responded by putting the game beyond doubt as Akpom raced on to a through ball and held off the defender before rifling a low left-footed strike inside the far post.

Play video Watch Arsenal video online 02:10 'Chris has got that ability with the ball'

Mavididi was then only prevented from adding his name to the scoresheet by a sliding last-ditch block from Stabana on the goal-line. Next to go close was Marc Bola, who marauded forward from left back before watching the crossbar deny him the chance to chalk up a fourth goal.

The hosts then pulled a goal back as Vernam sent Keto the wrong way from the penalty spot after Alex Babos went to ground after a tangle of legs.

Arsenal continued to harry and hassle their opponents until the final whistle, but the goal count ended at three as Gatting's side signed off an impressive night's work.