Premier League Intl Cup : Four Nigeria-eligible youngsters help Arsenal beat Monaco 

Arsenal U21s have registered their first win in the Premier League International Cup, beating Monaco 2-1 at Meadow Park on Monday night courtesy of goals from Catalin Cirjan and Jack Henry-Francis.

The match had four Nigeria-eligible youngsters involved namely Zach Awe, Ethan Butler-Oyedeji, Ethan Nwaneri and Joel Ideho.

Awe and Butler-Oyedeji started the encounter while Nwaneri and Ideho came on as substitutes.

Very early in the game, Butler-Oyedeji went down in the eighteen yards after colliding with Monaco goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta.

In the 30th minute, Arsenal opened the scoring with a neat finish from Cirjan after Smith delivered a smooth pass.

Awe's header hit the crossbar following a corner in the 38th minute. 

Five minutes later Butler-Oyedeji embarked on a dazzling run and then whipped in a cross to Bandeira who fired wide.

In the 69th minute, Butler-Oyedeji assisted Henry-Francis to extend Arsenal's lead to two.

Manager Mehmet Ali brought on Joel Ideho and Ethan Nwaneri as replacements for Sagoe Jr and Amario Cozier-Duberry in the 74th minute.

Monaco got a goal back through Mamadou Coulibaly in the 78th minute after combining with Aurelien Platret.

In the 81st minute, Butler-Oyedeji's night was over as he was taken off for Khayon Edwards.

The four Flying Eagles eligible have previously trained with the first team of the Gunners, with only Ethan Nwaneri playing for the senior team.

Toyosi Afolayan