Report – Substitutes Balogun and Tormey salvage point for Arsenal U23s against Swansea

Premier League 2 

Arsenal 2 (Balogun 83, Tormey 86) Swansea City 2 (Cullen 45, Blake 45)

By Jeorge Bird @Meadow Park, Borehamwood

Nathan Tormey has spent the vast majority of the campaign on the periphery of proceedings, but tonight the talented winger took centre stage as he emerged off the bench to score a dramatic late equaliser for Arsenal U23s in their 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City.

The scoreline may suggest that this was an entertaining encounter, but it was anything but, with the game constantly being interrupted by fouls and the referee having to be replaced during the first half which led to much stoppage time.

Swansea went into the game bottom of the table but produced a spirited first-half display and were rewarded with goals just prior to the interval from Liam Cullen and Matthew Blake.

Arsenal, in contrast, were rather disjointed, with some players being deployed out of position, while they sorely missed the qualities of Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, who were absent as they are likely to train with the first-team ahead of the Europa League clash with Rennes.

Eventually, though, Arsenal managed to claw their way back into the game, and they had two substitutes to thank.

Firstly Folarin Balogun, who replaced Tyreece John-Jules at the start of the second half, took his excellent form from U18 level onto the U23 stage as he scored a fine goal, and then Tormey, making just his second appearance at this level, found the net from a tight angle to level and salvage a point from a game that Arsenal had looked like losing.

Julio Pleguezuelo started at left-back, while Ben Sheaf was in central midfield where, bizarrely, he was partnered by Dominic Thompson, who usually plays in defence.

Iliev

Osei Tutu-Ballard-Medley-Pleguezuelo

Gilmour

Sheaf-Thompson

Amaechi-John Jules-Saka

Subs: Balogun (for John-Jules, 46), Tormey (for Sheaf, 68). Not used: Okonkwo, Bramall, Omole. 

Arsenal sought to impress in the early stages, with Xavier Amaechi doing well to find Sheaf, but the latter’s effort went over.

Swansea then threatened at the other end, but Deyan Iliev stood firm before Arsenal responded with Bukayo Saka shooting wide after he was located by Thompson.

Arsenal were struggling to build up momentum and their cause wasn’t helped by a lengthy delay in proceedings which ultimately culminated in the referee being replaced.

After the restart Iliev had to be alert to make another stop, and then Swansea, deservedly, took the lead, with Cullen sending a well-struck effort beyond the reach of the Macedonian goalkeeper.

Not long afterwards Sheaf was penalised for a foul just outside the area and Swansea took full advantage, with Blake scoring with a free-kick in the eighth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Coach Freddie Ljungberg knew he had to change something to get Arsenal back into the game and he elected to bring on Balogun, who has been in prolific form for the U18s, in place of John-Jules.

Swansea sought to add to their lead and came close to doing so on a couple of occasions, but Arsenal were starting to pose more of a threat, with Balogun turning well on one occasion but being unable to get a shot away.

Amaechi then sent a free-kick into the side-netting as Arsenal upped the tempo before Tormey was brought on for Sheaf in what proved to be an inspired switch.

Swansea sent a header over but then Arsenal managed to reduce the deficit, with Balogun embarking upon an impressive run prior to scoring.

Then it was 2-2. There didn’t seem to be enough space in the penalty area, but Tormey somehow managed to wriggle his way through before getting the equaliser.

The winger has perhaps been harshly treated this season as he has barely been involved, but this strike could well lead to him receiving further opportunities.

Swansea then had Joe Lewis sent off for a second bookable offence, and Arsenal sought to take full advantage as they went in search of a winner, with six minutes added on.

Jordi Osei-Tutu headed over, then Balogun had an effort deflected just wide and Daniel Ballard also came close to scoring.

Arsenal were adamant that they should have had a penalty for a challenge on Balogun in the final moments, but the referee waved play on and, in the end, the young Gunners had to be satisfied with a point.

In the end, there were some positives to take for Ljungberg’s side, with Balogun and Tormey both making a major impact after being brought on.

However, that shouldn’t disguise the fact that Arsenal were woeful for much of the game, with Ljungberg’s selection decisions not helping matters.

Pleguezuelo, despite being extremely experienced at this level, isn’t a left-back, while Thompson certainly isn’t an attacking midfielder.

Many of Arsenal’s worst performances at this level this season have, inevitably, come when they have been without some of their key players, such as Nketiah and Willock.

Willock in particular is key to Ljungberg’s philosophy with his dynamic runs from midfield, and without him Arsenal were sorely lacking in terms of creativity for much of the game.

Amaechi threatened in patches, while on the other flank Saka wasn’t quite at his best and up front John-Jules needs to be given time after his recent injury struggles.

Still, though, Arsenal will be pleased to have taken a point in difficult circumstances.