Arsenal’s under-21s were held to a 2-2 draw away at Crystal Palace on Monday night in the Premier League 2.
It comes as the end of the campaign nears for the academy sides in domestic competition, with just a few games remaining.
Zach Marsh opened the scoring for Crystal Palace before a second-half comeback from Michal Rosiak and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand fired Arsenal into the lead.
It wasn’t to be though, as just moments after taking the lead, with Hindolo Mustapha equalising for the Eagles to share the points.
One thing that has been a theme for the Arsenal academy this season has been change, with plenty of players called up to the senior team creating space for others.
That, in itself, led to yet more change in the under-21s team named on Monday night.
Samuel Onyekachukwu makes Arsenal under-21s debut
The backline of the Arsenal under-21s has undergone plenty of change this season, with a few changes to be had.
Zane Monlouis’ exit to Toronto FC has opened up space in the backline, alongside Maldini Kacurri’s loan to Bromley.
That has seen Marli Salmon make his Arsenal under-21s debut at 15 years old, though he wasn’t present to face Crystal Palace after featuring in Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup defeat to Manchester United.
That opened up yet more room for another debut as 17-year-old Samuel Onyekachukwu featured from the start for the side.
The centre-back featured alongside another 17-year-old, Brayden Clarke, with the pair playing above their age range.
The display brought about plenty of praise from Mehmet Ali after the match.
Mehmet Ali praises Samuel Onyekachukwu and Brayden Clarke displays for Arsenal
With such a young centre-back pairing, it was natural that the duo could find it a bit tough with the step up in age class.
Despite that, speaking to the Arsenal official website, Mehmet Ali was full of praise as he said: “You never know when you’re going to be chucked into U21s football and I thought both of them [Brayden Clarke and Sam Onyekachukwu] did really well.
“Some of the older lads just gave Chuks a round of applause, making his U21s debut, as well as all of the lads.
“I thought everyone really showed a good appetite to go and take the game to Palace and that’s why I love working with these guys.”
It’s plenty of praise for the pair who will now look to add even more under-21 appearances to their experience before the next step of their journey.
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