Arsenal youth forward scores again as u21s make 2-goal comeback | OneFootball

The Arsenal u21s pulled off a late comeback to earn a point away to Nottingham Forest on Friday night, with Charles Sagoe Jr. impressing again.

Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter

The Arsenal u21s started their season with a 3-2 defeat to Fulham last week, going 2-0 behind and recovering to equalise at 2-2, only to lose the match late on.

The team must have been feeling déjà vu on Friday as they played away to Nottingham Forest, finding themselves 2-0 down by the half-hour mark once again.

The Gunners had some positive moments in the early stages, but 26-year-old Josh Bowler scored a brace to give the hosts a commanding advantage. U21 teams are allowed a few overage players in each matchday squad, and Forest took full advantage of Bowler’s experience.

Photo via Sagoe Jr. on Instagram

Once again, Arsenal fought back, and Charles Sagoe Jr. was at the heart of the comeback. Sagoe Jr. had scored Arsenal’s first goal against Fulham, and he repeated the trick against Nottingham Forest.

The winger combined well with Ismeal Kabia – fresh off his contract extension – before finishing confidently for 2-1.

Sagoe Jr. saw another effort saved not long afterwards, and he eventually set up Seb Ferdinand’s equalising goal in the 87th minute. The u21s had come from two down to level at 2-2 for the second time in a week, and this time they held on for the point.

There were a couple of injury concerns for Harrison Dudziak and Marli Salmon, both withdrawn before the hour mark, and the team clearly need to work on how they’re starting matches. But there will be encouragement at the way they’ve responded to setbacks recently.

Photo via Arsenal.com

With two goals and an assist in his opening two games of 2025/26, 21-year-old Sagoe Jr. will hope that he’s making enough of an impression to earn another loan or permanent transfer in the final week or so of the summer transfer window.

If that doesn’t happen, the winger certainly looks ready to have a major impact for the young Gunners this season.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Nottingham Forest

Nygaard, Salmon, Kacurri, Sweet, Washington, Dudziak, Copley, Agustien, Kabia, Sagoe Jr, Harriman-Annous

Substitutes

Ibrahim (for Dudziak, 45), Nichols (for Salmon, 60), Clarke (for Kacurri, 78), Ferdinand (for Agustien, 78), Ranson

What’s next?

The Arsenal u21s take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday, August 29th at 19:00 BST, before having some time off for the international break.