Arsenal U21 coach singles out 2023 Flying Eagles invitee for praise despite loss to Forest B

Arsenal U21 coach Mehmet Ali singled out 2023 Flying Eagles invitee Ovie Ejeheri for praise despite his side's 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest B team in a Premier League 2 fixture staged at Meadow Lane on Monday. 

Ejeheri is back at the Emirates Stadium after loan spells at Chelmsford City and Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho last season.

The 20-year-old has started each of the four matches played by the Gunners in the new season, including the win on penalties against League Two club Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy. 

After a goalless first half, Nottingham Forest took the lead through Alex Mighten two minutes after the restart and Detlef Esapa Osong ended Arsenal's hopes of an equalizer when he doubled the advantage in stoppage time.

Arsenal have Ejeheri to thank for not conceding in the first half as he made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the Nottingham Forest strikers at bay. 

In the 12th minute, he denied Osong from close range and produced another brilliant save from a shot inside the area. 

Speaking post-match, Ali told Arsenal's official webpage: "Ovie pulled off some good saves and then on the ball in the first half I thought we were good.

"We got into good areas, had some half chances and shots where their goalkeeper made some good saves. I thought it was an even game in the first half. "

Ejeheri has posted 21 clean sheets in all competitions since making his senior debut last August, comprising twelve in the colours of Chelmsford City and nine for SJK Seinäjoki. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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