Arsenal u21 season ends with play-off defeat | OneFootball

The Arsenal u21s were eliminated from the Premier League 2 play-offs in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday, going toe to toe with league winners Manchester City until the end.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Following their last-16 win over Newcastle United, the Arsenal u21s faced Manchester City away from home in Saturday’s Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final.

City were the first-place team in the regular season, finishing seven places and 14 points above Arsenal. This was never going to be an easy game, particularly away from home.

Yet Arsenal looked like winning the match for much of the 90 minutes, with Khayon Edwards opening the scoring just 50 seconds in.

Photo via Copley on Instagram

Arsenal were the better side of a quiet first half, with Charles Sagoe Jr. and Edwards involved in another couple of chances before the break. The Gunners then doubled their advantage in the 50th minute with Louie Copley chipping the City goalkeeper.

City really put the pressure on in the final 15 minutes, with Ashton Muir scoring in the 75th to set up a frantic finish. And in the fourth minute of injury time, the hosts finally scored their equaliser to send the contest to extra time.

Having clawed their way back into the game, City capitalised on their momentum to score through Divin Mubama in the 106th minute and ultimately win the tie.

Photo via Arsenal.com

With the Arsenal u21s now eliminated from the play-offs, their season is over. Some players might drop back to the u18s for their final game, others may work with the first team in training. For anyone else, the summer has begun early.

Arsenal u21 lineup vs Manchester City

Ranson, Rosiak, Washington, Kacurri, Sweet, Henry-Francis (C), Kabia, Copley, Edwards, Salah-Eddie Oulad M’Hand, Sagoe Jr

Substitutes

Salmon (for Kacurri, 85), Harriman-Annous (for Edwards, 86), Dudziak (for Copley, 97), Ferdinand (for Kabia, 97), Rojas