Jack Wilshere continued his return from injury to captain Arsenal Under 21s, but could not prevent a 1-0 defeat by Reading's youngsters at the Emirates Stadium. Wilshere was joined by other injury plagued first team players including German forward Serge Gnabry and long-term absentee Abou Diaby who managed to last 56minutes as his own return gathered pace. However, it was the Royals who claimed victory after former Arsenal defender Martin Keown's son Niall scored the eventual winner with a header in the opening minutes. Jack Wilshere made his long-awaited comeback from injury in Arsenal U21's 1-0 defeat by Reading . Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown's son Niall celebrates after scoring the winner for the visitors . Another long-term Arsenal absentee Abou Diaby (left) continued his own return from injury . ARSENAL U21: Macey, Bielik (Dobson), Pleguezuelo, Ormonde-Ottewill, O'Connor, Diaby (Mavididi), Wilshere (Kamara), Maitland-Niles, Gnabri, Crowley, Iwobi . Subs: Iliev, Zelalem . Booked: Bielik . READING U21: Lincoln, Long, Keown, Griffin, Shaughnessy (Rinomhota), Owusu (Novaovich), Kelly (Fridjonsson), Kuhl, Sweeney, Cardwell, Fosu-Henry . Subs: Ward, Dickie . Scorer: Keown 8' This top-of-the-table Under 21s clash was supposed to showcase Arsenal's next generation of talent but it was a name from the past who stole the plaudits. Keown rose highest to head home Liam Kelly's corner past Gunners keeper Matt Macey after only eight minutes. The visitors were unfortunate not to double their lead through Tariqe Fosu only minutes later when his his curled effort skewed just wide. The Gunners pressed for an equaliser before the break with Gnabry slicing wide from 10yards out before Wilshere saw a decent strike saved by Reading keeper Daniel Lincoln. Wilshere became more and more influential when the game resumed after the interval - finding Alex Iwobi following a typical surge from midfield only for the forward's shot to be well saved. Daniel Crowley also impressed as Arsenal tried to get off the markt, he almost set up Wilshere in the latter stages but the England international's low strike could not find a way past the impressive Lincoln. England midfielder Wilshere presses during the first-half and managed to last 88minutes . German forward Serge Gnabry shoots at Reading's Daniel Lincoln (left) during the first half . Arsenal's new young signing Krystain Bielik receives the ball at the Emirates Stadium . Wilshere will be hoping to return to Arsenal's first team for the season run-in and FA Cup semi-final . Wilshere is left on the floor as the hosts chase the game without success in the second half . Gnarby takes on Keown (left) - who scored the opening goal for the Royals after eight minutes . The Gunners will be buoyed after both Wilshere and Diaby (right) came through the game unscathed . Wilshere smiles with referee Steve Plane ahead of the coin toss at the beginning of the match .
Jack Wilshere captained Arsenal Under 21s against Reading Under 21s . Gunners first team players Abou Diaby and Serge Gnabry also featured . Niall Keown scored with a header for the Royals after only eight minutes .