Premier League Cup : Azeez scores in shootout, Okonkwo saves one kick as Arsenal are beaten by Boro

Published: March 09, 2022

Arsenal U23s have been knocked out of the Premier League Cup after a 4-3 loss on penalties to Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was among six youngsters of Nigerian descent who tasted action for the Gunners and joining him in the starting lineup were Mazeed Ogungbo, Miguel Azeez and James Olayinka, while wingers Joel Ideho and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji came off the bench in the second half.

As for Boro, exciting winger Toyosi Olusanya was named in their starting lineup.

It was goalless at the break but both teams had chances to break the deadlock with Hutchinson and Olayinka coming close for Arsenal and Okonkwo denying Lea Siliki with a fingertip save over the crossbar.

Stephen Walker thought he had won it for Boro wen he headed home in the 77th minute only for Hutchinson to convert a penalty won by Butler-Oyedeji with a minute to go to send the game to extra time and then penalties.

In the penalty shootout, Ogungbo missed his kick, Okonkwo saved Boro's third spot kick and Azeez converted his.

Olayinka didn't take a kick as he was substituted with five minutes left to play in the second half of extra time.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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