Arsenal's Forward Options Bolstered as Returning Striker Fires in U21 Victory

Arsene Wenger may well soon consider handing Benik Afobe a chance in the first team after the young striker scored the only goal as Arsenal's Under-21s secured a 1-0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road.

The 20-year-old striker is just back from eight months out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury sustained while playing for Millwall during a loan spell at the club last season.

Afobe made his return to competitive action last week in the win over Aston Villa and was delighted to simply be able to complete 90 minutes in front of Wenger.

"It was a bonus to play well against Villa," Afobe told the official Arsenal website. "Before the game and during it, I was just thinking about my fitness and my knee.

"People have been telling me that I played alright, so that is just a bonus. I know I can do better than that, I have much more in my locker. The fact my knee felt alright and I got through 90 minutes with no aches and pains is the main thing.

"The boss was there [at Meadow Park] but I know it was not just about me, he was there to watch the whole team. For the boss to see that I can play 90 minutes and do well is a good feeling."

Having got through his first game and felt no pain in his knee, Afobe was handed another opportunity to impress and duly delivered with another excellent display against Norwich.

Afobe could have opened the scoring after 25 minutes but his snap shot was parried away by Norwich goalkeeper Remi Matthews, who just minutes later once again denied the young striker after he had been played through by Jon Toral.

Arsenal would grab the only goal of the game just before half-time as Afobe turned past two defenders before finally slotting the ball past an in-form Matthews.

With the north London club short of options in attack, Afobe will be hoping that by performing to a high level for the youth side he will be able to force his way into contention for a place in the first team squad.

Wenger has limited options in attack as Nicklas Bendtner continues to struggle for form and Lukas Podolski recovers from injury. Should Afobe catch the eye then he may well soon find himself called into action.

It's been a long road to recovery but the highly-rated young striker is determined to work hard and earn his opportunity.

"I have tried to take it week by week and month by month and then before you know it, you're doing different things," added Afobe.

"At first I was just in bed, icing my knee all the time, then I started walking, then had the stitches taken out, then the next stage was jogging on the treadmill, then outside. Before long there was some ballwork, twisting and turning, sprinting and now here I am playing games again.

"I'm just going to continue to work hard and try to push my way into the first team now."