Connolly's Emirates Elation

Brighton & Hove Albion under-23 striker Aaron Connolly was delighted to score against the team he supports at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, as he came off the bench to equalise against Arsenal.

Albion trailed the Gunners heading into second-half stoppage time, but Connolly was there to fire home from inside the penalty area, and the Irishman was pleased to level the game for his team-mates.

He said, “I think we deserved a point, if not a win. We played well the whole game. The lads did well, and it was good to have the first-team players helping out as well.

“I support Arsenal and came to watch them a few times when I was younger, so it was a great feeling to come off the bench and score. It was a great night for me personally.”

The Seagulls have opened the season with back-to-back draws, after also picking up a point against Liverpool on the opening day of the campaign, and Connolly highlighted the character shown by the team.

“It was unreal last Friday, because it was our first game in this division against a very good Liverpool side.

“To then go 1-0 down against Arsenal, so late on, and then come back to equalise, it showed great character and I’m buzzing for the lads.”

Connolly, who featured for the Seagulls in the Carabao Cup last season, expressed his desire to impress for the club’s under-23s, in order to create further opportunities in Chris Hughton’s side.

“I was happy to get minutes with the first team in pre-season, as that’s what everyone wants. The gaffer gave me the chance to do that, but I’m concentrating on the under-23s now.

“Hopefully I’ll get a few more goals in the Premier League 2 and work my way into his plans at some point throughout the season.”