**Premier League 2 playoffs – quarter-finals**
**Manchester City 3 (Muir 76, Samuel 90, Mubama 106) (Arsenal 2 (Edwards 1, Copley 50) (a.e.t.)**
Arsenal U21s were knocked out of the Premier League 2 playoffs at the quarter-finals stage for the second season in succession as they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 away to Manchester City today.
The young Gunners took the lead in the first minute through Khayon Edwards and added to it through Louie Copley’s first goal at this level.
However, City clawed their way back into the game and scored a late equaliser before Divin Mubama got the equaliser in extra-time.
Arsenal were without a host of players, including the likes of Tommy Setford, Brayden Clarke, Jimi Gower and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who were all on the bench for the first-team.
However, Maldini Kacurri started for the U21s after his loan spell at Bromley ended early, while schoolboy Marli Salmon was named on the bench. Goalkeeper Alexei Rojas also received a rare callup as he was listed amongst the substitutes. Harrison Dudziak was back available again after injury.
R**anson**
**Rosiak-Kacurri-Sweet-Washington**
**Henry Francis**
**Salah Eddine-Copley**
**Kabia-Edwards-Sagoe Jr**
**Subs: Salmon (for Kacurri, 85), Harriman-Annous (for Edwards, 87), Dudziak (for Copley, 99), Ferdinand (for Kabia, 99). Not used: Rojas.**
Arsenal made an excellent start as they took the lead in the first minute when Edwards scored after being set up by Charles Sagoe Jr.
Early in the second half the young Gunners added to their lead through Copley.
City, who finished top of the table in the regular season, were never going to be beaten easily and they reduced the deficit through Ashton Muir in the 76th minute.
Arsenal looked to see out the game and brought on Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous.
It appeared as though Arsenal would hold on but City equalised through Lakyle Samuel in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Dudziak and Seb Ferdinand entered the fray in extra time but it was City who prevailed as Divin Mubama scored the equaliser in the 106th minute.
Arsenal will be frustrated to have exited the competition at this stage again, especially given that they had established a two-goal lead.
The likes of Butler-Oyedeji and Gower could have been of great use to the team but were instead unused substitutes for the senior side.
It was a frustrating day overall for the academy, with the U18s also seeing their title hopes come to an end.
For the likes of Edwards, Salah-Eddine and maybe others this could prove to be their last appearance at this level but the likes of Will Sweet, Copley, Salmon and Harriman-Annous could be heavily involved next season.