Pre-Match Report

Preview: Arsenal U-23s v Liverpool

John-Jules, Tormey, Balogun

Our under-23s will look to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches when we face Liverpool on Saturday.

THE STORY SO FAR

By winning and drawing three of our opening six matches, we’ve made our best-ever start to a Premier League 2 campaign. 

We opened the season strongly by recording back-to-back victories over Blackburn Rovers and Brighton & Hove Albion. Two draws followed, but we were unlucky to concede late to Everton and we completed an impressive comeback against Derby County, as we battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2. 

We found ourselves a goal down against Leicester City but a Tyreece John-Jules brace early in the second half saw Steve Bould’s side back to winning ways. A week later, we looked set to claim top spot in the league but Wolves snatched a point deep into injury time as we drew 2-2. 

Folarin Balogun scored less than a minute into the match at New Bucks Head but the hosts replied early in the second half. Balogun then fired us back into the lead but Taylor Perry levelled the score with seconds remaining.  

We currently sit third in the table, behind Everton and Chelsea. 

THE OPPOSITION

Liverpool have had a shaky start to the season and will be looking to build some form after only winning once so far. 

Last season, we completed an impressive 4-0 home victory against the Reds with Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah all on the scoresheet. However, in the reverse fixture Liverpool came out on top as we fell to a 4-1 defeat.

Our opponents opened their campaign with back-to-back defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea but recorded their first win of the season against Southampton a week later. 

They haven’t picked up three points since but are unbeaten in their last two matches after draws with Derby County and Leicester. 

Liverpool finished fourth in the Premier League 2 last season.

ONE TO WATCH

Nathan Tormey has come of age this season and has impressed in a variety of positions. 

The 19 year-old bagged his first goal of the season in the 2-1 victory against Brighton and Hove Albion with a cool finish and was denied his second by a fine save from Johansson in the Leicester net.

With quick feet and an eye for goal, Tormey can operate on either wing or behind the striker giving Steve Bould a number of options in midfield.

 

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Stay close to Arsenal.com for our match report and post-match reaction from Steve Bould.

By Sam Cox

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