The opening fixture of the second phase of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw as Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion met at London Colney.
The meeting between two sides who advanced from Group 1 of the first phase was used by Arsenal Under-21s manager Terry Burton to help the recovery from injury of a couple of first-team players, Abou Diaby and Andre Santos.
Facing an Arsenal side where Vito Mannone, Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were among other first-team regulars to start in a strong XI, a young West Brom side did well to take the lead through Adil Nabi’s 22nd-minute header.
Arsenal equalised just before half-time through Santos and, despite having a number of chances after the break, could not get a second and almost went behind through Nabi. The home side’s match ended on a low note when Emmanuel Frimpong was handed a second yellow card.
Arsenal report | WBA report
The next match in the Elite Group takes place tomorrow when a Chelsea side who are expected to include John Terry will face Fulham behind closed doors at Cobham Training Ground.
Download full fixture list here
Wednesday 9 January 2013
Elite Group
Arsenal 1-1 West Bromwch Albion
Thursday 10 January 2013
Elite Group
Chelsea v Fulham, 7.05pm, Cobham Training Ground
Friday 11 January 2013
Group 2
Stoke City v Norwich City, 6.30pm, Nantwich Town FC
Monday 14 January 2013
Elite Group
Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 1pm, THFC Training Centre
Liverpool v Southampton, 2pm, LFC Academy
Manchester United v West Ham United, 7pm, Altrincham FC
Group 1
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough, 7pm, Hinckley United FC
Blackburn Rovers v Everton, 7pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group 2
Manchester City v Reading, 1pm, Athletics Stadium
Crystal Palace v Bolton Wanderers, 7pm, Selhurst Park
To view the league tables after the qualificaton stage, click here
You can follow developments on Twitter with the Premier League's account @premierleague or via the hashtag #BU21PL
