Wolves 2 (Barnett 29, 55) Arsenal 1 (Nwaneri 33)
Wolves under-21s secured three impressive Premier League 2 points as Ty Barnett’s brace downed Arsenal at Aggborough.
James Collins’ side defeated the fourth-placed Gunners as Barnett struck either side of Ethan Nwaneri’s equaliser to inflict just a second league defeat on the visitors.
There was little to separate the two sides in terms of goalmouth action early on, although it was the visitors who were probing and enjoyed more of the possession.
However, just shy of the half hour mark, Wolves were the team to break the deadlock and it came courtesy of Barnett. Aaron Keto-Diyawa’s corner was cleared only as far as the attacking midfielder who kept his head down and arrowed a sweetly struck left-footed drive past Karl Hein from the edge of the area.
Struck with crispness and perfection 🤌#PL2 pic.twitter.com/C7gy1JWXKb
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 26, 2024
That lead lasted just four minutes as the visitors levelled very soon after. After Alfie Pond headed a cross off his own crossbar, Jimmy Storer saved well from Ismeal Kabia with his feet but was unable to prevent Nwaneri from capitalising on the rebound.
The home side came within inches of retaking the lead inside first half stoppage time as Harry Birtwistle crossed onto the head of Leon Chiwome who did everything right, but was denied by the fingertips of Hein who saved onto the crossbar.
Half-time | Wolves 1-1 Arsenal
It took just 10 minutes for the Old Gold to notch for the second time following the restart, and it was Barnett again who struck. After Owen Farmer had outmuscled his man on the halfway line, he was played in by Chiwome and closed in on goal. With the goal to aim for, Farmer unselfishly got his head up and crossed on a plate for Barnett who had timed his run to perfection and finished from close range.
A second of the night for Ty Barnett ✌️#PL2 pic.twitter.com/iLF09e33t9
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 26, 2024
At the other end, Nwaneri was denied a brace of his own after going the long way round the penalty area, before Pond came across to make a last-ditch block to save his side.
Wolves struck the woodwork for the second time when Pond did well to keep the ball alive in the area before cushioning the ball to Chiwome who prodded towards goal, but watched his effort rebound off the bar as the striker couldn’t quite keep his effort down.
Substitute Josh Esen thought he’d well and truly sealed the points when he finished a flowing move as Farmer moved infield before Birtwistle crossed for Esen, but the offside flag was up.
Wolves had to navigate their way through seven minutes of additional time and Storer had to be alert when Nwaneri turned in the box and struck low, but the goalkeeper stood firm. And from the resulting corner, Taylor Foran rose highest however a combination of Storer and the post prevented a dramatic leveller.
Full-time | Wolves 2-1 Arsenal
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s travel to face Charlton Athletic in their final Premier League Cup group game on Monday 5th February.
NEXT FIVE
- 05/02 Charlton Athletic (A) PL Cup
- 11/02 Man City (A)
- 19/02 West Brom (H)
- 04/03 Newcastle United (H)
- 11/03 Derby (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Storer, Kaleta, Keto-Diyawa, Griffiths (Kandola 66), Lonwijk (Tipton 46), Pond, Birtwistle, Whittingham, Chiwome, Barnett (Esen 84), Farmer (Mabete 90+6).
Subs not used | Benjamin.
Arsenal | Hein, Sweet (Foran 73), Sousa (Nichols 61), Walters, Monlouis (Dudziak 89), Henry-Francis, Cozier-Duberry, Nwaneri, Edwards, M’Hand, Kabia (Gower 73).
Subs not used | Graczyk.
