Men's U21s stung by late Arsenal equaliser

Younes Ibrahim scored and assisted in Monday's 2-2 draw at the American Express Elite Performance Centre in Premier League 2.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-08-31T21:05+01:00

Younes Ibrahim celebrates after equalising against Arsenal. 📷Jeff Mood

Albion’s men’s U21s were denied a first Premier League 2 victory of the season by an 88th-minute Arsenal equaliser in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

Albion had fallen behind to a first-half goal from 19-year-old Gibraltar winger James Scanlon. But they hit back to lead 2-1 as Younes Ibrahim levelled three minutes into the second half and set up substitute Bailey Palmer for Albion’s second after 62 minutes. But Arsenal sub Evan Mooney denied them all three points.

Albion had opened their PL2 campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa, Tyler Silsby netting a late reply to two first-half strikes from Villa.

Younes Ibrahim, who was on target for Albion, brings the ball under control. 📷Paul Hazlewood

George Munday was presented with a good early chance by a defensive error but his shot, although well-hit, was too close to Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson. Arsenal’s reply was a diving header, well wide, from centre back Elijah Upson, who was being watched by his father, the former Albion defender Matthew.

Ibrahim was next to force Ranson into action with a well-controlled half-volley as he pounced on a headed clearance. The cross had come from Sean Keogh, who was finding plenty of space on the left and being fed regularly by diagonal passes from teammates.

Steven Hall was a spectator in the Albion goal until the 20th minute when he had to scramble to his left to block a twice-deflected shot from Arsenal’s Archie Stevens following a free kick on the right.

Theo Outen surges forward. 📷Paul Hazlewood

However, he had little chance with the visitors’ opener as Scanlon cut in from the left and, with no defender able to make an effective challenge, hit a low shot past Hall’s left hand.

Albion tried to hit back and the first half ended with a sustained spell of pressure from the home side, but although they could not find that final pass to open up the visitors’ rearguard they maintained the initiative after the break. Half-time substitute Palmer almost made an immediate impact, charging onto Keogh’s pass only to see Ranson save his shot at the expense of a corner.

The flag kick, though, led to a flurry of half-chances. Arsenal were never fully able to clear the ball and when it reached Ibrahim on the edge of the penalty area he neatly sidestepped a defender and planted a left-foot shot past Ranson.

The game was opening up and just past the hour Albion were ahead. Ibrahim ran at the Arsenal defence and, with many expecting another shot at goal, passed square to Palmer. He hit a fierce drive that seemed to take a deflection on its way into the bottom far corner.

Silsby was close to a third but his shot cleared the angle of post and crossbar by millimetres.

And just when Albion must have thought they had done enough Arsenal scored a late second when a straightforward pass found substitute Evan Mooney running through the centre to sidefoot past Hall.

Albion: Hall; Outen, Barclay, Ferdinand (sub: Ademola 84), Keogh (sub: Crutchett 84); Mackley, Nti; Silsby (sub: Alakiu 80), Ibrahim, Oriola (sub: Palmer ht); Munday (sub: Joseph 62).