Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s LIVE! Result and updates as Jurrien Timber scores on injury return

Blackburn vs Arsenal LIVE!

Jurrien Timber scored as he finally return to match action as Arsenal’s U21s drew 2-2 against Blackburn U21s at Ewood Park.

The £38.5 million summer signing, who has been out injured since severely damaging his knee on his Arsenal debut in August, opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match with a beautiful curling strike into the top right corner.

Amario Cozier-Duberry then doubled Arsenal’s lead from the spot. The England U19 international sent Blackburn’s Felix Goddard the wrong way, before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left.

The home side responded immediately and grabbed a goal just two minutes later courtesy of Harrison Wood. The 19-year-old’s strike from outside the box nestled in the right corner, out of Arthur Okonkwo’s reach.

Junior Nsangou then delicately flicked the ball into Arsenal’s net to level the contest.

Timber was taken off at half-time and the game petered out, with neither side able to create any clear cut chances in the second period.

With just one game left of the regular Premier League 2 season, Arsenal sit in 5th, with Blackburn remaining in 13th.

Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s updates

• Full-time: Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

• GOAL! Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21: Nsangou equalises

• GOALl! Blackburn U21 1-2 Arsenal U21: Wood gets one back for Blackburn

• GOAL! Blackburn U21 0-2 Arsenal U21:Cozier-Duberry doubles lead from the spot

• GOAL! Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21: Timber opens scoring

21:20 , Adam Pogrund

Arsenal fans will be delighted with Jurrien Timber’s return to action. His beautiful curled effort opened the scoring just eight minutes in.

Arsenal U21 coach Mehmet Ali will be disappointed with how easily his side gave away a two-goal lead.

Arsenal remain in fifth place in the Premier League 2, level on points with Chelsea and Liverpool.

Blackburn move above Nottingham Forest into 12th.

Stalemate at Ewood Park

20:54 , Adam Pogrund

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:52 , Adam Pogrund

Full-time

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:49 , Adam Pogrund

90 mins: Just three minutes of added time.

Blackburn targetting fifth consecutive win

20:49 , Adam Pogrund

Blackburn U21s are in excellent form and have only lost one of their last nine league fixtures.

They have won their last three Premier League 2 games against Everton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest.

Blackburn are currently in 13th place, but look set to quality for the PL 2 play-offs, with the top-16 sides entering the elimination rounds.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:48 , Adam Pogrund

89 mins: Blackburn’s three game winning streak is looking likely to end, with the hosts defending deep, and appearing happy to settle for a draw.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:46 , Adam Pogrund

86 mins: Henry-Francis plays the ball to Cozier-Durberry on the right wing, who then finds Sweet.

The subtitute is unable to get a cross away.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:43 , Adam Pogrund

84 mins: Just over five minutes of normal time left at Ewood Park.

Can Arsenal grab a late winner?

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:41 , Adam Pogrund

81 mins: Blackburn substitution

Brandon Powell replaces Lenni Cirino

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:40 , Adam Pogrund

81 mins: Arsenal have been camped in Blackburn’s half in the past few minutes.

However, they have not managed to carve out any clear cut opportunities

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:39 , Adam Pogrund

80 mins: Left footed shot by Cozier-Durberry from outside the box on the right.

The England U19 international’s shot wins Arsenal a corner.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:38 , Adam Pogrund

79 mins: Substitution for Arsenal.

James Sweet replaces Josh Nichols.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:35 , Adam Pogrund

74 mins: Good save from Okonkwo.

He dives low to his right side and palms away a Wood strike along the ground.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:32 , Adam Pogrund

71 mins: Centre-back Ayden Heaven plays an inch-perfect pass to Cozier-Durbetty on the right wing.

Cozier-Durberry then plays an early cross into Nwaneri, who is unable to bring the ball under control in the box.

Arsenal have looked promising in the last five minutes.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:29 , Adam Pogrund

70 mins: Free header for Gamble from the corner.

Arsenal had switched off and are fortunate not to be punished.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:29 , Adam Pogrund

68 mins: Chance for Arsenal.

Nwaneri hits the ball straight into Goddard’s midriff.

It was excellent attacking play from Kabia on the left wing to set up the chance.

Kabia and Nwaneri are linking up nicely.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:27 , Adam Pogrund

66 mins: Kabia shows excellent pace to pick up Okonkwo’s kick to the left wing.

The 18-year-old dribbles from wide on the wing into the box and finds Nwaneri, before Arsenal win a corner.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:25 , Adam Pogrund

65 mins: Substituion for Blackburn.

Rhys Doherty is replaced by Ben Fyles.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:23 , Adam Pogrund

63 mins: Poor defending by Quesada-Thorn who allows Duru to run past him easily.

The wide man hits a low cross into Wood, but some last ditch defending sees Arsenal clear the danger.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:21 , Adam Pogrund

61 mins: Kabia gets past Batty and whips the ball powerfully across the face of the goal.

No Arsenal attacker manages to get on the end of it.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:18 , Adam Pogrund

51 mins: It has been a slow start to the second half, with neither side keeping the ball for extended periods.

Arsenal need to improve if they want to pick up just their second win in five league fixtures.

20:15 , Adam Pogrund

55 mins: Henry-Franics drives through the centre before finding Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old takes a tidy first touch, swivels and strikes at goal, but it is easily blocked.

Nwaneri has made the bench for Arsenal’s senior team eight times this season and is aiming to score his 11th Premier League 2 goal tonight.

Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21

20:09 , Adam Pogrund

47 mins: Cozier-Duberry wins a second consecutive corner for Arsenal down the left wing.

Arsenal take a short corner and find Henry-Francis on the edge of the box.

The captain strikes the ball from distance but it is easily blocked by the Blackburn defence.

Back underway at Ewood Park

20:05 , Adam Pogrund

Jurrien Timber has been replaced by Elian Quesada-Thorn.

The Dutchman will be happy with his performance on his long-awaited return.

Half-time

20:02 , Adam Pogrund

Mehmet Ali will be so disappointed with how easily Arsenal relinquished their lead.

The Gunners dominated for large periods of the first-half and should be going into the break ahead.

But Arsenal fans will be delighted with how confident Timber has looked on his return to action.

19:58 , Adam Pogrund

Timber’s sublime opener on his first game in eight months

19:57 , Adam Pogrund

All eyes on Timber

Goal! Blackburn U21 2-2 Arsenal U21 | Junior Nsangou

19:52 , Adam Pogrund

45+2 mins: Arsenal have thrown away a two goal lead!

An inventive left footed backheel flick by Ngannou from a Wood cut back levels the tie.

Blackburn U21 1-2 Arsenal U21

19:47 , Adam Pogrund

45 mins: Arsenal need half-time to come.

They dominated for almost the entire first-half but it is Blackburn who are now holding onto the ball, and who look more likely to score.

Blackburn U21 1-2 Arsenal U21

19:45 , Adam Pogrund

43 mins: Blackburn are applying pressure to Arsenal’s backline as they look for an equalizer.

The momentum has totally switched since Wood’s strike.

Goal! Blackburn U21 1-2 Arsenal U21 | Harrison Wood

19:43 , Adam Pogrund

38 mins: Blackburn are straight back in it!

Harrison Wood finds himself with plenty of time on the edge of the box.

Arsenal’s defenders were backing off and he smashes the ball into the right hand corner. Okonkwo had no chance.

Mehmet Ali won’t be happy with that.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:42 , Adam Pogrund

35 mins: Penalty to Arsenal!

Goal! Blackburn U21 0-2 Arsenal U21 | Amario Cozier-Duberry

19:39 , Adam Pogrund

36 mins: Cozier-Duberry doubles Arsenal’s lead from the spot!

The 18-year-old waited for Goddard to dive, before cooly slotting the ball into the bottom left.

That’s his seventh Premier League 2 goal this season.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:35 , Adam Pogrund

31 mins: Another chance for Blackburn. Cirino finds himself with time and space on the left side of the Arsenal box.

The 21-year-old fires just wide of the right post. Another let off for Arsenak

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:32 , Adam Pogrund

29 mins: Blackburn have two quickfire chances out of nowhere and should be level.

First, Nsangou side foots the ball from outside the box over Okonkwo onto the right post.

The Arsenal keeper was totally beaten.

Patrick Gamble then heads wide from a corner. The Blackburn captain was unmarked, and should have hit the target.

Arsenal can’t afford to be complacent.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:28 , Adam Pogrund

26 mins: Timber plays the ball out to Kabia on the right wing.

The 18-year-old winger delivers a menacing cross across goal but there were no Arsenal forwards on the end of it.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:25 , Adam Pogrund

23 mins: Timber is looking very confident and seems to be enjoying himself.

He drills the ball at goal from 30 yards out.

The right-footed strike was powerful but took a deflection and is out for an Arsenal corner.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:22 , Adam Pogrund

19 mins: Cozier-Duberry manages to hold the ball up on the left wing and finds Henry-Francis in the middle of the box.

The Arsenal captain is able to get a strike away at goal, but it is easily gathered by Blackburn keeper Goddard.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:20 , Adam Pogrund

18 mins: Timber wins the ball back on the half way line and plays a nice through ball to Cozier-Duberry.

The Dutch international was looking for the return ball but Cozier-Duberry puts too much power on the pass and it rolls out for a corner.

Blackburn U21 0-0 Arsenal U21

19:18 , Adam Pogrund

5 mins: Arsenal have seen most of the ball and are largely camped in Blackburn’s half.

A promising start for the visitors.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:17 , Adam Pogrund

15 mins: Henry-Francis wins the ball in the Blackburn half and plays it to Timber.

Arsenal are totally dominating possession.

Mehmet Ali will be absolutely delighted with the start.

Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21

19:13 , Adam Pogrund

11 mins: Arsenal are all over Blackburn.

It should be 2-0.

Henry-Francis was unmarked at the back post and struck it at goal.

Kabia then had a first time shot on goal, but Goddard parried to safety.

Goal! Blackburn U21 0-1 Arsenal U21 | Jurrien Timber

19:11 , Adam Pogrund

8 mins: What a moment for Timber!

Just 8 minutes into his return!

The Dutchman picks up the ball on the edge of the box and curls a beautiful bending strike into the top right corner.

Blackburn U21 0-0 Arsenal U21

19:09 , Adam Pogrund

7 mins: First real moment of danger for Arsenal.

Nwaneri shoots first time from the centre of the box, but it takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.

Blackburn U21 0-0 Arsenal U21

19:02 , Adam Pogrund

1 min: Immediate chance for Blackburn.

Nsangou gets in behind Arsenal’s back line and fires a low left footed shot just wide off the right post.

An early warning for Arsenal.

19:01 , Adam Pogrund

KICK-OFF

Here we go!

Will Timber’s return spur Arsenal onto victory?

Can Blackburn win their fifth consecutive league game?

18:59 , Adam Pogrund

Captains Jack Henry-Francis and Patrick Gamble have led the two sides out.

Timber versatile across the backline

18:54 , Adam Pogrund

The Dutch international is starting at left-back but he is comfortable playing anywhere across the defence.

“He has a quality that nobody else has in the backline to actually effect, especially in the attacking phases, things that we do, in both positions or three positions,” said Arteta earlier this month.

Arsenal fans can’t wait to welcome him back to the senior team.

But first focus turns to tonight.

Kick-off in fifteen minutes

18:45 , Adam Pogrund

How will Jurrien Timber fare on his return to action?

Stalemate in the last encounter between the sides

18:39 , Adam Pogrund

The two sides cancelled each other out in their last meeting, a 1-1 draw in March 2023.

Blackburn’s Harry Leonard scored a 90th-minute equaliser, after Charles Sagoe Jr, now on loan at Swansea City, opened the scoring in the first-half.

Will Arsenal, captained by Jack Henry-Francis claim all three points tonight?

Cozier-Duberry starts up top

18:30 , Adam Pogrund

Amario Cozier-Duberry starts for Arsenal in attack.

The 18-year-old has scored 6 goals in 15 Premier League 2 games this campaign.

Only Ethan Nwaneri and Khayon Edwards, who is now on loan at Leyton Orient, have scored more for Arsenal’s U21s in the league this season.

Arsenal excited about Timber's return

18:21 , Adam Pogrund

Blackburn's lineup

18:14 , Adam Pogrund

Blackburn’s Premier League 2 topscorer Zak Gilsenan misses out with injury.

Arsenal's lineup

18:11 , Adam Pogrund

Timber starts for the Gunners at left-back. He is making his first appearance in eight months.

Ethan Nwaneri hoping to continue fine form

17:55 , Adam Pogrund

Nwaneri’s brace against Villa last time out means he has scored 10 goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances this season.

The England U17 international featured for Arsenal’s first team in their 6-0 win over West Ham in February.

He became the youngest ever Premier League player when he made his debut in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Brentford in September 2022, aged 15 years and 181 days.

The midfielder is still only 17 years old and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal last month.

Arsenal U21s looking to bounce back after Villa defeat

17:45 , Adam Pogrund

Arsenal will be looking for a positive result at Ewood Park after their 3-5 home defeat to Aston Villa last Monday.

Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest ever Premier League player, scored two late consolation goals at Meadow Park.

The Gunners currently sit in sixth in the Premier League 2, but a win could move them above Chelsea and Liverpool into fourth, with just one game remaining of the regular season.

Mikel Arteta lays out Jurrien Timber's injury return plan ahead of possible comeback in Tottenham vs Arsenal

17:38 , Adam Pogrund

Mikel Arteta is hopeful Jurrien Timber will play again this season, but Sunday’s north London derby may come too soon.

Asked if Timber could play against Arsenal’s local rivals, Arteta remarked: “That’s a quick step!”

“He has been training really good, he looks ready.”

“He needs that exposure and after that we will assess whether that game comes at the right time or too fast. We will try to get him with us for the final games.”

Read the full story here

Blackburn team news

17:28 , Adam Pogrund

Blackburn have a number of injury doubts for tonight’s fixture.

Charlie Olson, Joe Hilton, Alex Baker, Kristi Montgomery and George Pratt are all missing.

Goalkeeper Felix Goddard, as well as Ben Fyles and Isaac are hoping to feature after recent injury troubles.

How to watch

17:18 , Adam Pogrund

The U21s clash is being broadcast live for free on Arsenal.com as well as on Arsenal’s official app.

The fixture kicks off at 7pm at Blackburn’s Ewood Park, with coverage beginning at 6:55pm.

Timber set to return

17:13 , Adam Pogrund

The Dutch defender has been sidelined since the opening game of the Premier League season, where he suffered a serious knee ligament injury against Nottingham Forest.

The £38.5 million summer signing has returned to training in recent weeks and is set to play his first match in eight months tonight.

The versatile defender can play anywhere across the back line and has made 15 international appearances for the Netherlands.

Blackburn vs Arsenal U21s LIVE!

16:53 , Marc Mayo

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s coverage of Arsenal Under-21’s trip to Blackburn.

The Gunners are expected to have Jurrien Timber back in their line-up for this Premier League 2 trip to Ewood Park.

Kick-off comes at 7pm BST as the U21 season nears its end, with places still to be claimed in the elimination play-offs.

Join us for all the build-up, team news, match action and reaction!