Emile Smith Rowe, new £34m signing Fabio Vieira and the experience Cedric Soares featured for the Arsenal U21 side. 

After the vision and creativity shown so far by the attacking Fabio Vieira and his silky left foot (from right midfield) I can safely say Arsenal supporters are in for a treat when he makes his first team bow very soon pic.twitter.com/fJMb5Kxl6k

— Layth (@laythy29) August 17, 2022

The Gunners U21 side beat Swansea City U21s 2-1 in the Premier League Cup at a sodden Meadow Park on Wednesday evening. 

The Arsenal side fell behind early on through Swans No9 Josh Thomas, who squeezed the ball past keeper James Hillson.

However, stung by the strike, the Gunners rallied through the lively Joel Ideho who equalised shortly afterwards. 

Captain for the evening Soares grabbed an excellent first half winner after his free-kick flew past vistors keeper Archie Matthews to make the scoreline 2-1. 

The Welsh team had No6 Joe Thomas sent off before the interval after a rash challenge on Arsenal No3 Lino Sousa. 

Catalin Cirjan replaced Smith Rowe at the break while Mauro Bandeira came on Fabio Vieria at the same time, with the latter striking the post and also firing narrowly wide in a lively second half showing as Arsenal eased to victory.  

A break in play due to an injury to a Swansea player. Still Arsenal U21 2-1 Swansea City U21 with an hour gone here at Meadow Park. Have to say it still feels strange not hearing Maria’s voice at an academy game… ?? pic.twitter.com/U7ZtaxOO44

— Layth (@laythy29) August 17, 2022

Find out which Arsenal players impressed with our Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings: 

1) James Hillson: 7/10 - Consistent

2) Cedric Soares: 8/10 - A model pro who captained the Young Guns at Meadow Park after being left out of the first team matchday squad against the Foxes as he needs to build his match fitness. Scored a great first half free-kick past Swans keeper Archie Matthews for the winner. Reliable while also dovetailing well with his compatriot, the exciting Fabio Vieria

3) Lino Sousa: 8/10 - Fouled by Swans No6 Joe Thomas in a rash challenge that left referee Matthew Russell no option but to issue a red card. An excellent performance allied with an assured temperament makes the young defender one to watch

4) Taylor Foran: 7.5/10 - Solid and uncompromising and relished the battle

5) Zach Awe: 8/10 – An intelligent defender who showed excellent timing with blocks and tackles. A big season ahead for this talented centre-back who impressed during the Papa John’s Trophy run under Kevin Betsy last term 

6) Miguel Azeez: 6/10 - Underwhelming

7) Fabio Vieira: 7.5/10 – Vision and creativity. A silky left foot from right midfield. Arsenal supporters are in for a treat when the £34m summer signing eventually makes his debut

8) Amario Cozier-Duberry: 7/10 – Struggled to get into the game at times but still worked hard

9) Nathan Butler-Oyedeji: 7/10 – Not as influential as he would have liked to have been but wasn’t for want of trying

10) Emile Smith Rowe: 7/10 Smith Played six minutes as a late substitute in the 4-2 win over Leicester on Saturday after missing Arsenal's Premier League opener at Crystal Palace with a groin problem. Good to see him back in an Arsenal starting XI. Linked up well with Fabio Vieira in cameos as he got 45 vital minutes in his legs as he strives for a regular first team berth once again

11) Joel Ideho: 8/10 - A lively performance from the 19-year-old Dutch attacker of Nigerian heritage that saw the right-footed winger level for the Young Guns after they surprisingly went 1-0 behind to Josh Thomas’ early goal for the Swans. Another excellent performance after he hit a long range winner in the pre-season friendly against St Albans earlier this month.

Substitutes: 

Catalin Cirjan: 7/10 - Replaced Emile Smith Rowe at the break

Mauro Bandeira: 7.5/10 - On for Fabio Vieria at half time. Struck the post and fired narrowly wide in a lively second half showing 

Tim Akinola: 7/10 - On for the underwhelming Azeez late on 

Henry Jeffcott: 7.5/10 - Combaative and tenacious with a steely will to win. The Gooner has been charting his ongoing progress since a pre-season friendly at Hitchin Town back in 2019 and this talented young gun is certainly one to watch this season 

To confirm: It’s good to see Emile Smith Rowe in an Arsenal starting XI. That’s it. That’s the tweet pic.twitter.com/23uBhB6tdL

— Layth (@laythy29) August 17, 2022

The combative Henry Jeffcott replaces the injured Lino Sousa. I like this lad, always have done since I first watched him back in 2019. He’s got spirit and can play a bit. Looks like he’s filled out nicely and will add physicality to young Arsenal sides. One to keep an eye on pic.twitter.com/qsEAPvyd7f

— Layth (@laythy29) August 17, 2022