AFC Wimbledon to face Bristol Rovers in EFL Trophy after beating nine-man Arsenal

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

AFC Wimbledon have been drawn at Bristol Rovers in the third round of the EFL Trophy.

The Dons put out a strong side in Tuesday’s tie against Arsenal U21s and were rewarded with a 3-0 victory.

Ryan Longman, pictured, had an impact as he came off the bench in the second half and quickly opened the scoring. The Brighton loanee set up Paul Osew to make it 2-0 before Joe Pigott wrapped up the contest.

Arsenal’s already slim chances of a fightback were completely killed off as they had two players sent in the final 11 minutes. Tim Akinola picked up a second caution card for kicking the ball away while William Saliba got two yellow cards.

Wimbledon keeper Nik Tzanev did well to deny Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from point-blank range when the game was goal-less.

Dons manager Glyn Hodges said: “My message to our boys beforehand was to show them what a League One side is all about. To show that physicality and how we do things. We did that.

“To keep a clean sheet and score three goals is very pleasing.”