Young Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom was on target for Arsenal U23s in their 3-3 draw with Derby County U23s in the Premier League 2 on Friday evening.

Derby County took the lead in the 11th minute through Charles Vernam whose shot got the better of Matt Macey in the Arsenal goal to open the scoring.

Akpom was on hand to level matters 10 minutes later, stabbing home after Ben Sheaf's initial effort was kept out.

But the Rams were back on the front foot and led in the first half stoppage time, Mason Bennett finishing well after Krystian Bielik had failed to deal with an attacking foray from the opposition.

Alex Babos added another to make it 3-1 a minute shy of the hour mark to see Derby cruising but Osei-Tutu's 78th minute header halved the deficit before Julio Pleguezuelo struck at the death to ensure a share of spoils for Arsenal.

Starting alongside Akpom was defender Tolaji Bola while Tobi Omole and Aaron Eyoma were on the bench for the youthful Gunners side, with Eyoma coming on for the last three minutes.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com