Thierry Henry impressed by Wolves youngsters

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry had praise for Wolves' youth team after the two teams recently went head to head, boss Jerry Gill has revealed.

The Gunners beat Wolves 2-1 at London Colney on Saturday with Gill's team more than matching their illustrious hosts.

Scottish striker Jordan Allan finished off an impressive team goal for Wolves, which started all the way from the back with keeper Harry Beasley.

Two strikes from Edward Nketiah either side of Allan's goal won the game for Arsenal.

But Gill said a watching Henry, who has been coaching Arsenal's youngsters, reserved praise for the Wolves cubs.

"Thierry Henry has been doing some coaching with the young Arsenal players and was among the staff on the bench," Gill said.

"He came over to us after the game and was very humble and told us how impressed he was with the goal that we scored.

"We were disappointed not to get a result but the performance level was high with a really young group and it gave us some positive stuff to look forward to next season.

"All in all it was a great game to be involved in and a very tactical game."

And of the goal that so impressed Henry, Gill added: "The goal epitomised everything we are trying to be with Harry rolling the ball out and the involvement of several players passing the ball before Brad Carr came up with a good cutback which Jordan finished first time after coming off the centre back.

"It was a really good goal and came from something we do a lot of work on in terms of patterns of passing and repetition involved in that.

"It is no co-incidence that we have scored a really good and incisive goal.

"We had further chances then having had spells of possession where we controlled the game and looked dangerous.

"Morgan Gibbs White went through with the keeper to beat in the first half and his lob was very close and Jordan had another opportunity with a header.

"Unfortunately they got the winning goal in the second half when Harry pulled off another fine save but they scored again from the rebound.

"We rallied and had the better of the second half and actually had the ball in the net through Sam Phillips but the referee disallowed it for a handball by Morgan which was another contentious decision."

With many of this year's crop having recently upgraded to the under-21s, it was again a very young side fielded by Gill featuring several under-16 players.

Gill was again deeply impressed with Allan's display up front.

"I don't often like singling players out but I have done with Jordan in recent weeks and not just because of his goals, because of his attitude and application," he added.

"Once he has got that right and realises what is required to play for the Under-18s it has all clicked into place and he has done very well.

"He has been doing extra work after training and the goal he scored on Saturday is something we have worked on a lot.

"It's about coming in to finish first time and his contact on the ball was great.

"That comes with repetition – the more finishing drills you do in the week the more it improves your timing and contact and when it happens in the game it is more natural.

"It is a good message for any of the young lads – if you do your extra work and keep doing it you will get the benefits in the games.

"Jordan has taken his chance well."