Record buy Jahanbakhsh plays for Albion under-23s in late draw at Arsenal

The Argus – LONDON, Albion record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh made a surprise appearance for Albion under-23s tonight.

The £17 million Iranian right-winger featured for Simon Rusk’s side in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Jurgen Locadia and Beram Kayal were also in the starting line-up as sub Aaaron Connolly rescued a point with a stoppage time equaliser.

Boss Chris Hughton watched three of his substitutes in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Amex gain valuable minutes by playing the whole game.

Jahanbakhsh, bought from AZ Alkmaar after playing for Iran in the World Cup, was involved in most of Albion’s best moments.

He forced Deylan Iliev, Arsenal’s Macedonian goalkeeper, into a fine save in the first half from a free-kick destined for the top corner.

After the break Jahanbakhsh latched onto Locadia’s flick to cross and when the ball fell to Kayal (below) the Israeli midfielder fired just wide.

Jahanbakhsh also had a shot deflected behind after a weaving run into the box and beat his marker to cross just out of Locadia’s reach at the far post.

The Seagulls’ most expensive capture converted a Kayal free-kick at the far post seven minutes from time but it was disallowed for offside.

Reiss Nelson put Arsenal ahead in the 86th minute, curling a shot from inside the area past summer signing Jason Steele.

Republic of Ireland striker Connolly, on for James Tilley, rifled Albion level in time added on when another Jahanbakhsh effort from a Kayal free-kick was blocked.

Fellow sub Anders Dreyer could have snatched the points in the dying moments but the Dane was denied by Iliev after Locadia set him up.

Arsenal’s line-up included Brighton-born teenage midfielder Charlie Gilmour.

Rusk’s under-23s now go to Stevenage on Friday night (7pm) to face the Gunners’ North London rivals Spurs, having opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool.

Albion: Steele; Moore, White (Roberts 77), Barclay, Cochrane; Collar (Dreyer 89), Kayal, Tilley (Connolly 76); Jahanbakhsh, Locadia, Gyokeres. Subs: Keto, J.Davies.