Premier League 2

Tottenham Hotspur 1 (White 76) Arsenal 3 (Burton 38, Coyle 45, Tormey 90)

Aided by three members of the first-team squad, Arsenal U23s secured a 3-1 victory away to rivals Tottenham Hotspur tonight as they secured their first victory since September.

Following a difficult start to the game, Arsenal took the lead in the 35th minute through Robbie Burton and then made it 2-0 courtesy of Trae Coyle just before the break.

Harvey White pulled a goal back for Tottenham in the second half, with the hosts threatening to get a point, but substitute Nathan Tormey ensured victory for Arsenal.

Folarin Balogun missed out through injury, with Tyreece John-Jules replacing him up front, while the other changes saw first-team players Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe start at the expense of Tormey and Ben Cottrell. Konstantinos Mavropanos also started again.

Hein

Swanson-Mavropanos-Clarke-Bola

M. Smith-Burton

Coyle-Smith Rowe-Nelson

John Jules

Subs: Cottrell (for Nelson, 46), Tormey (for Coyle, 66), Olowu (for Swanson, 88). Not used: Hillson, Medley.

There was initially some concern that the game wouldn’t go ahead due to floodlight failure at the Lamex Stadium, but, after a 15 minute delay, the match finally got underway.

Tottenham started in the ascendancy, with Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein having to make a fine save to thwart Armando Shashoua before Shilow Tracey blasted an effort over.

The lively Dilan Markanday then had an effort deflected wide, but Arsenal gradually started to assert themselves on proceedings, with Smith Rowe becoming increasingly influential.

Smith Rowe had two chances in quick succession and then Arsenal took the lead, with captain Burton slotting home, while Zak Swanson deserved much praise for bursting down the right flank in the build-up to the goal.

John-Jules then shot over following another slick interchange of passes and then it was 2-0, with the goal stemming from a Tottenham free-kick as Nelson pushed forward and the ball eventually found its way to Coyle, who finished well.

The two-goal lead was perhaps rather harsh on Tottenham, who had been the better side for much of the first half, but Arsenal had finished the first 45 minutes very strongly indeed.

Arsenal were also resolute at the back in the first half, with Mavropanos producing an outstanding display as he made several precisely-timed interceptions.

Nelson, in what presumably a pre-planned change on his return from injury, was replaced by Cottrell for the start of the second half, and Arsenal had to cope with some Tottenham pressure early on, with Hein forced into another good stop.

Tottenham then came close to scoring with another opportunity, but Arsenal then had chances of their own, with John-Jules shooting over after a cross from Matt Smith and Coyle having an effort saved after excellent work from Smith Rowe.

Smith Rowe dragged an effort wide after exchanging passes with Tolaji Bola, and then Arsenal introduced Tormey in place of Coyle.

The pressure increased on the Tottenham goal, with Mavropanos having a header saved on the line and Swanson then also being thwarted by Jonathan De Bie. The defender wanted a penalty, but referee Gary Parsons chose not to point to the spot.

Tormey almost made an instant impact, with his dipping effort tipped over by De Bie, but Tottenham, rather against the run of play, pulled a goal back, with White finishing well.

Joseph Olowu came on for Swanson and there were brief concerns regarding whether Arsenal would be able to see the game out, but then Tormey struck to make sure of the victory.

This was a much-needed win for Arsenal and will hopefully provide Steve Bould’s side with a major injection of confidence.

The first-team players involved all benefitted greatly from the experience, with Nelson getting 45 minutes under his belt and impressing in patches, while Mavropanos and Smith Rowe also caught the eye.

As far as the U23 regulars are concerned, Coyle appears to be on an upward curve again after enduring a difficult couple of years, while Tormey remains rather under the radar but is continuing to make a major impact at this level.

This Arsenal side are gradually becoming more effective as a unit at U23 level, and tonight’s victory could well be a major step in the right direction for them.