How are Arsenal's U23s getting on this season?

PATINO

How are Arsenal's U23s getting on this season?

By Oscar Maung-Haley

While the senior side seem to be enjoying a spell of success on the pitch, they’re not the only Arsenal side on the up.

In Premier League 2 Division 1 action, Arsenal’s U23s, under the guidance of head coach Kevin Betsy currently sit top of the table after 10 games.

Here’s a look at how the U23s season has gone so far…

Story of the season and standout performers

Having won seven, drawn one and lost two, the Gunners have picked up 22 points, one more than second place Manchester City.

And a host of Arsenal youngsters look primed to push for first team honours sooner rather than later from this current crop of young gunners.

With nine goals to his name, striker Folarin Balogun is in hot form in PL2 action this season, with his most recent strike helping Arsenal to a 4-2 away win over Leeds United. 

He has been pivotal to the U23s title push but remains a peripheral figure when it comes to Arteta’s first team squad.

At just 20, Balogun has plenty of years ahead of him and with skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, he might need to time out on loan getting senior minutes rather than in the Arsenal U23s.

SOM'H

And Balogun isn’t the only Gunner to have produced some stunning performances for the U23s.

Both Salah Oulad M’Hand and Charlie Patino have starred for Betsy’s side on their march to the top of the table and could also make their first team debuts this season should their progression continue.

In the senior XI’s recent Carabao Cup win over Leeds, Salah Oulad M’Hand found himself on the bench with the likes of Bukayo Saka alongside Balogun.

And if they continue to produce in the U23 ranks, they could find themselves stepping up for the senior side sooner rather than later.

Results so far

While the young Gunners started the season the end of a 6-1 thumping from West Ham United, they quickly rectified that by going unbeaten until mid-November.

During that spell, they bested rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, Manchester United 3-1, and dismantled Chelsea 6-1.

A 2-2 draw with Manchester City followed before a few weeks later they suffered their second loss of the season in a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

But like last time, Betsy’s men jumped straight back on the wagon with impressive wins over Everton 4-0 and Leeds 4-2.

It’s been a promising start to the season for the U23s and they have a real chance to win the PL2 come the end of the campaign if they continue their impressive goal scoring form.

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

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