Match report: Albion under-23s seen off by Arsenal

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The result leaves Albion in third in Premier League 2.

Charlie Hanson

2021-10-01T20:04:00Z

Andrew Moran had Albion's best chances in the first half at the Emirates.

Albion suffered a disappointing defeat in Premier League 2 as they were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal on Friday night.

Andrew Moran could have had a brace in the opening ten minutes, first seeing his header from Cam Peupion’s cross cannon back off the crossbar, before the Australian found the Irish midfielder again in the box, but Gunners keeper Karl Hein saved well.

Kjell Scherpen saved Folarin Balogun's penalty, but the Arsenal man was quick to the follow up.

Despite their early dominance, it was Albion who went behind. Antef Tsoungui and Marc Leonard sandwiched Folarin Balogun as he got into the box and it was enough for the hosts to be awarded a penalty.

Balogun was the one to take it and saw his spot-kick saved by Kjell Scherpen as the Albion keeper stood his ground, but the Arsenal forward was first to the follow up to fire in.

Peupion stung the palms of Hein with a decent drive from the edge of the Arsenal box, but Salah-Eddine Oulad M'hand swept home a second for the hosts just after the half hour mark, rounding off a smart move from the Gunners.

Arsenal had found their stride and it took some top goalkeeping from Scherpen to deny Mika Biereth, diving down to his right at his near post to keep out a powerful drive from the Dane.

Kjell Scherpen saved Folarin Balogun's penalty, but the Arsenal man was quick to the follow up.

Scherpen was called into action early on in the second half and it was arguably his finest save of the evening, tipping Balogun’s left footed drive from 18-yards around the post.

Arsenal had the chance to put the game to bed with 25 minutes to play as Balogun went down in the box under pressure from Odel Offiah winning a penalty – although if there was any contact, it was minimal.

Balogun once again stepped up to take the penalty, and this time beat Scherpen, but only just though as the ball squeezed under the keeper’s body.

Andrew Moran should have pulled one back in the 70th minute when Mazeed Ogungbo’s tackle on Tolaj saw the ball drop eight yards out for Moran to hit first time, but hammered his effort straight into the chest of Hein.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international went close again to a consolation, this time going on a superb run, getting past three Arsenal players before blazing over from the edge of the box.

Andrew Crofts' team are back in action in a fortnight's time, when they face Crystal Palace.