U21 Premier League- Elite Group

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 (Winnall 58, Evans 78) Arsenal 3 (Akpom 37, 39, Watt 90)

A late, late winner from substitute Sanchez Watt secured victory for Arsenal U21s at the death away to Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening, with the Gunners having previously squandered a two-goal lead following Daniel Boateng’s red card.

Two quick-fire goals from Chuba Akpom, taking his tally for the season at all levels to 18 goals in 30 starts, looked to have set Arsenal on their way to a comfortable victory, but Boateng’s red card for a rash challenge undid much of the Gunners’ good work, and Wolves looked to have earned a point, only for Watt to win it late on. The 22-year-old striker is unlikely to have a career at the Emirates Stadium beyond this summer, but he demonstrated that his goalscoring knack is still in place at the most opportune moment here.

There was a familiar face in the Wolves line-up, with left-back Samir Bihmoutine, who will be released when his Arsenal contract expires at the end of June, currently on trial with the Midlands outfit. Arsenal, meanwhile, made four changes from the side that lost out to Liverpool in an enthralling encounter last week, with Damian Martinez, Jordan Wynter, Boateng and Zak Ansah all starting.

Jernade Meade, powering forward from left-back, created the game’s first opening with just two minutes on the clock, forcing a save from Aljaz Cotman, before Sam Winnall fell under Boateng’s challenge in the area, but the Arsenal player was adjudged to have won the ball.

Akpom was then presented with a glorious opportunity when Wynter’s searching cross found the England U19 international in prime position in front of goal, but he contrived to head over. Wolves sought to make Arsenal pay for their profligacy, with Bihmoutine doing well to find Winnall, who saw his shot saved by Martinez.

Arsenal cranked up the pressure thereafter, however, with Serge Gnabry coming close to breaking the deadlock following a mazy run, before Akpom’s header was cleared by Bihmoutine on the goal-line. Akpom would finally be rewarded for his perseverance just moments later, though, with the England U19 international latching onto Sead Hajrovic’s knock-down from Nico Yennaris’s ball in and turning home emphatically.

Akpom doubled his and Arsenal’s tally just two minutes later after meeting Kristoffer Olsson’s defence-splitting pass and finishing with aplomb.

Arsenal’s dominance continued after the interval, with the lively Olsson almost extending Arsenal’s advantage with a fierce strike that was parried away just in time, with Watt, on as a half-time substitute for Ansah, also being denied.

Two incidents in quick succession, however, threatened to swing the game in favour of the hosts. First, Winnall reduced the deficit with a powerful header that Martinez was unable to reach, then Boateng, demonstrating the over-zealousness that has plagued his time at the club, went in low and hard on Bihmoutine, receiving a red card for his troubles.

Wolves wasted the subsequent set-piece, but Bihmoutine, evidently eager to impress against the club where he was raised, shot over hastily, before Meade did just enough to prevent an equaliser. It was certainly coming, however, and there was little surprise when Lee Evans managed to beat Martinez. This was no laughing matter for the Gunners, though, and they sought to re-establish their lead immediately, with Gnabry and Akpom coming close in the dying embers, before Watt struck with virtually the last kick of the game to secure a memorable victory.

Arsenal’s remaining three games of the campaign are all at home and will be the club’s final fixtures at Barnet, starting with next Monday’s hotly-anticipated mini-North London Derby against Elite Group leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Wynter, Boateng, Hajrovic, Meade; Yennaris, Olsson; Ansah (Watt, 45), Zelalem, Gnabry (Eastmond, 86); Akpom. Not used: Iliev, Ormonde-Ottewill, Rees.