Arsenal's reserves came from behind to beat their Town counterparts 2-1 at Portman Road on Monday night. The Blues went ahead through Pablo Couñago in the first half but the Gunners hit back after the break with Arturo Lupoli netting twice.

Town employed a 4-5-1 formation with Couñago the lone striker. The side was mainly Academy players but with new loan signing Jimmy Juan, Matt Richards and new short-term signing Dean McDonald also involved.

Reserve regulars Lewis Price, Dean Bowditch and Billy Clarke were unavailable due to international commitments.

Town had the better of the first period and Dean McDonald forced Arsenal keeper Mark Howard into a save with a header in the fifth minute. Soon after, Pablo Couñago sent a curler wide of the post.

The Gunners ought to have gone ahead against the run of play in the 18th minute when Anthony Stokes crossed low into the box from the left but Arturo Lupoli missed the ball completely with the goal gaping.

Central defender Aidan Collins headed a chance straight to Howard, before the Blues went in front. The impressive McDonald broke quickly down the right and sent in an inch perfect cross to Couñago who netted from inches.

Chances were far and few between but Town were deserving of their lead at the break. The squat but tricky McDonald had caused problems down the right wing throughout, while Scott Barron had impressed on the left and Owen Garvan, 17 last week, looked very comfortable in the centre of midfield.

The Gunners were a much trickier prospect after the break and were worthy of their 57th minute equaliser. Lupoli turned and shot from the edge of the area giving Shane Supple in the Town goal no chance.

Five minutes later, the Gunners were ahead, Lupoli netting again having exchanging a one-two on the edge of the box with Nicklas Bendtner and then slipping the ball beyond Supple.

Opportunities were even rarer for the Blues after the break but sub Liam Craig came close when he cut in from the right and hit a shot which keeper Mark Howard couldn't hold on to but which fell to an Arsenal defender and was cleared.

The visitors should have gone two goals in front when Stokes was played through one-on-one with Supple but the Town keeper did well to save with his feet.

Town lost central defender Jerrome Sobers to injury in the 78th minute, the former Ford United man appearing to pick up an ankle injury. Sobers's loan at Boston United was held-up last week due to flu and the knock could put the move back even further.

Aidan Collins had a header saved by Howard as the game entered the final 10 minutes, before Bendtner hit a shot across the face of Supple's goal.

Collins forced another save from the Arsenal keeper as the game entered injury time, Couñago shooting over from the edge of the box soon after. Just before the whistle, Stokes put the ball in the Town net for the third time, but the referee's whistle had already been blown for a foul.

A good first half performance from the Blues but a second half which was dominated by the Gunners. Arsenal deserved their victory overall, with Lupoli taking his chances clinically.

Impressive for the Blues were Dean McDonald and Owen Garvan, while Shane Supple made a couple of good saves and Aidan Collins was solid throughout.

Despite the goal, Pablo Couñago was once again a peripheral figure, as was new loanee Jimmy Juan. The Monaco midfielder played a holding role and showed some nice touches but never really stamped his imprint on the game.

Reserves: Supple, Synnott, Richards, Manning, Collins, Sobers (Krause 78), McDonald (Haynes 66), Juan, Couñago, Barron, Garvan (Craig 66). Not used: Flack, Atay.

Photo: Action Images

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