U21s report: Arsenal 1-4 Chelsea

Our under-21s unbeaten start to the Premier League 2 season came to an end with a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea at Mangata Developments Stadium.

The visitors opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Leo Black, before Reggie Watson found the bottom corner from the penalty spot right on half-time.

Despite a well-taken strike from James Scanlon, second half strikes from Watson and Chizaram Ezenwata secured the victory for the Blues.

FIRST HALF

We created the first chance of the game when Max Dowman threaded a neat through ball into James Scanlon, who saw his effort spilled by Freddy Bernal. Andre Harriman-Annous almost converted the rebound but had the ball swiped from his feet by Bernal.

The Blues then went down the other end of broke the deadlock when Black picked up a loose ball in the penalty area and fired into the corner.

Our young Gunners responded well to going behind and almost had an immediate equaliser when Scanlon's low cross found Harriman-Annous, but the striker's effort was beaten away by Bernal.

After a strong spell for us, the visitors had a great opportunity to net their second ten minutes before the break, but Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli put his effort straight at Jack Porter from eight yards out.

Porter was called into action once again right on half-time, making a stunning reaction save to stop a deflected cross ending up in the bottom corner.

The Blues found their second before half-time though as Watson converted a penalty after Nicoll-Jazuli had been brought down.

SECOND HALF

Chelsea continued to fly forward after the break and had a chance for a third, only for Porter to make another excellent save to deny Nicoll-Jazuli four minutes in the second half. The Blues then somehow didn't convert from the following corner as Justin Osagie missed the target from three yards out.

We sprung a quick counter attack a few minutes later which culminated in Igor Tyjon floating a dangerous cross to the far post, but Harriman-Annous couldn't keep his header down.

Moments later, Harriman-Annous turned provider, picking out Scanlon at the back post, but the winger's header was blocked on the goal line to deny us a route back into the game.

Chelsea got their third from a direct free-kick with 20 minutes to play, Watson finding the corner via the post with a well-taken strike.

We got ourselves on the scoresheet thanks to a fine finish from Scanlon just inside the box, but Ezenwata restored the Blues' three-goal lead in stoppage time.

WHAT IT MEANS

Defeat in north London leaves us with two points from our first three Premier League 2 games.

WHAT'S NEXT

David Horseman's side head to Birmingham City on Friday, September 18. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm (UK).

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Porter, Ogunneye (Stevens, 67'), Salmon (Dixon, 60'), Upson (Clarke, 69'), Washington, Ibrahim, Agustien, Dowman (Julienne, 60'), Scanlon, Tyjon (Mooney, 60'), Harriman-Annous

Subs: Ranson, Ogunnaike

Chelsea XI: Bernal, Black, Osborne (Richards, 84'), Osagie, Subuloye, Watson, Bettoni (Paez, 79'), McMahon, Ezenwata, Nicoll-Jazuli, Gordon (Diakite, 87')

Subs: Collinson, Best, Rabbaj, Wade