Arsenal coach says Gunners have a 'very strong' 19-year-old whose ability to get up and down the pitch is 'unique'

Arsenal will not be involved in any competitive games now until mid-September due to the international break.

The last Gunners team to play competitively ahead of the break was Mehmet Ali’s Under-21 squad, who was in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night.

Arsenal’s U21s ran out 2-1 winners at Leyton Orient in Southern Group E, with Josh Robinson and Ismael Kabia scoring a goal in each half for the Gunners.

The visitors took the lead against the O’s at the Gaughan Group Stadium when 19-year-old full-back Robinson lobbed the goalkeeper from long range in the third minute.

Dan Happe pulled one back for the hosts but Kabia, an 18-year-old winger, made the most of a defensive error to put Arsenal ahead on 55 minutes.

Dan Agyei then put a last-minute penalty over the bar for the O’s – who applied a lot of late pressure – to ensure that the young Gunners left east London with three points.

Ali, speaking after the game, singled out one of his goalscorers for his strike in the game, as well as his overall development and improvement.

Mehmet Ali hails ‘unique’ Arsenal academy full-back Josh Robinson

Ali, speaking to the Arsenal media team, said Robinson boasts superb athleticism, a “unique” ability to get up and down the pitch, and “very good” one-v-one defending skills.

The Gunners coach also praised the 19-year-old for his improvements on the timing front, though he did stress that the player needs to remember his “job description” as a full-back.

“Josh’s athleticism and ability to get up and down the pitch is unique,” said Ali.

“He’s a very strong young man. In one-v-one duels he’s very good and he’s definitely improved his timing of when to go forward and attack, so I’m really pleased for him.

“He’s got to keep remembering what his job description is in terms of stopping the winger, stopping crosses and protecting the far post, but I’m really pleased for him.”

Robinson now has two goals from his last two games, having also scored in the 4-1 Premier League 2 win over Aston Villa U21s on 30 August.

What next for Arsenal’s U21s?

Ali’s Gunners are top of Southern Group E in the EFL Trophy after their first game in the competition, though Colchester and MK Dons are yet to play.

Arsenal U21s face MK Dons in October before taking on Colchester in November, but their next game is on 21 September when they face Stoke U21s on the road.