Albion's under-21s, at least in name, were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal at the Amex tonight.

The Seagulls took the opportunity to give game time to several fringe members of the first team squad.

Busy goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa, goalscorer Connor Goldson, midfielder Danny Holla and fellow Dutchman Elvis Manu all featured as over-age players in a side skippered by England under-21 regular Jake Forster-Caskey.

Arsenal's youngsters came from behind to defeat them with a polished second half display.

Both teams were denied by the woodwork in a lively opening.

Left-back Rob Hunt shaved a post with a curling effort from 25 yards for Albion.

The Gunners responded with an angled drive against the bar from inside the penalty area by striker Donyell Malen.

The keepers also faced early tests on a rain-affected Amex pitch. Maenpaa, the Seagulls' Finnish international, did well to hold a shot from 14 yards by Callum Chambers, a potential first team deputy for the Gunners in the injured Francis Coquelin’s defensive midfield role.

Maenpaa's opposite number, Matt Macey, adjusted smartly to turn behind a shot from James Tilley which took a severe deflection.

The Arsenal custodian blotted his performance from the resulting corner by Holla, which sailed over him for centre-half Goldson to head in towards the far post.

Albion lived a little dangerously at times for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes against an Arsenal line-up brimming with teenagers and in the care of former Seagulls FA Cup finalist Steve Gatting.

Ben Sheaf fired into the side netting for the visitors, while Alex Iwobi was narrowly off target as well.

Albion's precarious advantage was wiped out three minutes into the second half, Sheaf whipping in a 20-yard free-kick awarded against Holla.

The Seagulls were grateful for two further saves by Maenpaa as Arsenal threatened to turn the game on its head.

David Stockdale's experienced understudy tipped another Sheaf free-kick over the bar after foiling Iwobi with his feet.

Arsenal duly took the lead on the hour mark with a classy finish by the fleet-footed Malen, who clipped the ball over the advancing Maenpaa.

Once behind, Albion worked their way back into the contest to hint at an equaliser in the closing stages.

Manu could only find the side netting after forcing his way into the box and a free-kick by Holla was shovelled behind at his near post by Macey.

Albion (4-2-1-3): Maenpaa; Hutchinson, Goldson, Barclay, Hunt; Holla, Forster-Caskey; Harper (Molumby 65); Tilley, Akindayini (Ward 65), Manu. Subs not used: Dallison, Doherty, Harris.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Macey; Kamara, Pleguezuelo, Bielik, Bola; Chambers, Iwobi; Sheaf (Robinson 83), Willock (Mavididi 70), Reine-Adelaide; Malen (Bennacer 70). Subs not used: Huddart, Robinson, Eyoma.