LEWIS Cook made his competitive comeback for Cherries’ under-21 squad in a Premier League Cup draw with Arsenal.

The 24-year-old played the opening 45 minutes for Shaun Cooper’s side, who snatched a late equaliser at Vitality Stadium.

Zak Swanson opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half before Christian Saydee grabbed the leveller in second-half stoppage time.

Lewis Cook was making his return 214 days after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a Championship clash at Preston.

He was joined in the starting XI by club captain Steve Cook, while former skipper Tommy Elphick was back pitchside at Vitality Stadium having taken a coaching role with Cherries’ development squad last month.

Captain on the night Brennan Camp had the first effort on target in the 17th minute when he forced an excellent diving save from Ovie Ejeheri. The Scotland under-19 international’s header from a corner was parried to safety.

The first half remained an even encounter with both teams enjoying good spells of possession, however it was the visitors who broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark.

A sweeping move ended with full-back Swanson crashing the ball home from just inside the 18-yard box.

Cameron Plain was called into action moments later to keep the deficit to one. The former Wimborne Town loanee palmed a powerful Nathan Butler-Oyedeji strike away from danger.

Lewis Cook, who picked up a caution after two mistimed tackles, was withdrawn at the break, with Jack Wadham replacing the former Leeds man as the holding midfielder.

Saydee came close from a free-kick 20 minutes into the second half, but he failed to get the required dip on his right-foot shot to bring it under the crossbar.

The 19-year-old striker then stung the palms of Ejeheri with a long-range strike as the home side went in search of an equaliser.

Cooper’s men continued to press and got their reward at the death.

Saydee, who was named as the sponsors man of the match, had a host of late chances and he made one count when he capitalised on Ejeheri's first touch to fire home a bizarre goal.

Both sets of players became involved in a confrontation after the final whistle.

Cherries: Plain; Genesini, S Cook, Camp, Greenwood; Roberts (Gidaree, 73), Moriah-Welsh, L Cook (Wadham, H-T), Nippard, Kurran-Browne (Pollock, 60); Saydee.