Arsenal’s Under-21s emerged as winners from a seven-goal thriller with Manchester City at Meadow Park on Monday.

The young Gunners took a 2-0 lead, but three goals in the final two minutes of the game saw them win 4-3.

Arsenal took the lead in the 33rd minute, Thomas Eisfeld latched onto a loose Jose Tasende pass before seeing his route to goal blocked by a City defender but the ball fell to Jon Toral who buried instead.

Four minutes later, the lead was doubled, Spanish full-back Hector Bellerin slotting under City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.

Adam Drury got Patrick Vieira’s side back in the game a minute after the restart, tucking home after Matt Macey failed to properly deal with a Sinan Bytyqi cross.

With 17 minutes to go, Arsenal looked to have sealed the win as Stefan O’Connor correctly gambled on a Semi Ajayi flick-on following a Kristoffer Olsson corner to beat Lawlor.

Devante Cole – son of former Arsenal forward Andy – got one back for City in the 89th minute when he slammed home Bytyqi's cross.

Arsenal responded immediately as Toral beat three City defenders and fired home, before Ajayi glanced a header past Arsenal keeper Macey to set up a nervy finish.