In a game which saw us use 22 players from across the various academy age groups, we cancelled out the hosts’ opener with an 85th-minute equaliser from Bowen Phillips. 

Horseman, who took charge of our Arsenal XI for the game, thought his side showed resilience to get a result at Meadow Park. 

“We played a really good opponent who played, I think this is their fourth game, and obviously it's our first 45 minutes. So we're a little bit behind on fitness, and they caused us a few problems.

“They put a lot of players on the last line and were really well organised, a very, very good team, but I thought the boys dealt with it really well.

We had a couple of ball wins where we got in, we should take a shot early, and I actually think we maybe [could] go one or two nil up. Then obviously, as the half goes on, we get a touch deeper as we start to get a little bit more tired, but still very controlled, I don't think they created a huge amount of chances.

“But we got to half-time [in a] pretty even game. I think they had more territory. I think we had a nice, good control, particularly against the ball. We knew exactly what we were doing, and I think nil-nil was fine.”

Our hosts made nine changes at half-time, replacing all but one of their outfield players, while our only change at the interval was to bring Jack Porter on for Khari Ranson in goal. 

While Horseman knew this would be a challenge for the players who started the game, he felt that they stood up to the test well. 

“Now, 60 probably for the first game [is a lot]. Normally, you'd always be 45-45. But with the group we've got at the moment, we've got a few that are under-19s and above, and the rest are very, very young, and it's such a senior game today. We have to stretch and support in equal measure.

“So, we wanted to give the other boys an extra 15 minutes, and they obviously changed their whole team, and that 15 minutes, we found it tough because they're fresh, and we were finding it very, very tough physically at that point, but we showed great character.

“I think early in the second half, we had a couple of ball wins, but you could see physically, it was starting to catch up and we just couldn't let it go, so, we made the ten changes. 

“Now, within the ten changes, we got Mickie [Yetna], who's, I think he only  just turned 16, so, we bring on a team mostly of scholars, plus Louis [Zecevic-John] and Archie [Stevens], and Jack [Porter] in goal were the only ones above, under 18 level, and I was really proud of them. I thought they were great, really excited. There was no fear.”

Having made the ten changes, we quickly conceded the opening goal after a cruel deflection guided Marley Marshall-Miranda’s effort into the bottom corner of the net. 

But Horseman was delighted with the response from what was an even younger Gunners team than the one that had started the game. 

“Yes, we conceded the goal, but then, I thought we showed so much. Louis looked a real threat down the left-hand side, Mickie was winning balls, and then Bowen [Phillips’] finish was great. 

“So, for a pre-season game, extremely tough for a first one, but really enjoyed it. We showed loads of skill, character, and they're in a decent level of fitness, and I think it looks like it's going to be a really good season for us.”

The positives didn’t stop with an excellent performance and a brilliant team goal either. 

Horseman was also pleased with the way the squad interacted and worked together, with players from various age groups training together in the build-up to the game.

“It's really important, and I have to say, what's happened now with the squad, early on the first couple of weeks with the under-21s, we've got some really good characters, we've got a really good bond. The boys have come up from the under-18s, obviously had some really good training as well, and they fit in really well.”

“Now, they'll probably go back to the under-18s, because, again, we have to get it right. They've got an exciting trip to Shanghai to prepare for. With the 21s, the bit that nobody really ever understands is, we are trying to develop the individuals. 

"We're trying to support the first team. We're trying to bring the younger, better players up with us. So, actually, sometimes, it's never a settled squad. But that's fine, that's the role, and the boys accept that, we accept that. 

“So, when you come to a matchday, sometimes you haven't had a full week's training. This was probably the first week. But, actually, we weren't really prepared for the game much, because it's also about fitness and some basic principles. 

“So, it's been great, loved it, the boys have responded really well. They're in really good condition, and then they've hopefully got an exciting couple of weeks, maybe helping support the first team until some of the boys come back from internationals.”