Our under-19s suffered an opening day defeat in the UEFA Youth League as we lost 3-1 to Athletic Club in Bilbao.
Two goals from Manex Lozano and a late penalty from Elijah Gift gave the hosts the victory, despite Brando Bailey-Joseph's goal just 17 seconds into the second half.
What happened
Athletic Club, making their first appearance in this competition in over a decade, created the first chance of the contest as Lozano flicked his header into the path of Igor Oyono, but Jack Poter stood firm to produce a superb close-range save before clawing away Xanti Oyharcabal's dangerous cross.
Five minutes later the hosts had their opener. Athletic's captain, Selton Sanchez, produced a fine piece of skill to get clear of his man down the right before laying into the path of Lozano, who bundled home from inside the six-yard box.
The hosts could've doubled their lead on 23 minutes as the dangerous Oyono dispossessed Marli Salmon on the halfway line and charged through with only Porter to beat. But our goalkeeper, who made his England U19 debut earlier this month, was equal to the forward's low effort.
Our young gunners grew into the contest in Bilbao and nearly found an equaliser on 31 minutes. Fine build-up play down the left saw Brando Bailey-Joseph slide Andre Harriman-Annous through, but our forward fired his effort at Simon Garcia before Louie Copley's rebound was blocked by Oier Unamuno behind for a corner.
Porter continued to impress, denying the goalscorer Lozano low down to his left after the forward was played through by a sensational pass from Ander Ezpeleta.
We almost levelled in first half injury time as Josh Nichols' fizzing low cross was nearly turned into his own net by defender Telmo Zarandona, only for the ball flashed past the post.
But we didn't have to wait long for our equaliser as we netted just 17 seconds into the second half. After working the ball out to Ceadach O'Neill on the right, his cross made its way to the back post where Bailey-Joseph slotted home. Salmon then had to be alert to ensure the Athletic Club didn't immediately restore their lead, blocking well from Ezpeleta.
Porter was called into action for the first time in the second half at 65 minutes as substitute Gift stung the palms of the England youth team international with a powerful cross.
The game began to stretch as both sides searched for a winner with 15 minutes remaining. Substitute Maalik Hashi's fine flick found Marcell Washington but his low cross evaded our front-line. Down the other end, Lozano broke clear from another substitute, Callan Hamill, but his effort was fired well wide of Porter's goal.
But it would be late heartbreak for our young gunners as Lozano had his second on 85 minutes, closing down Porter's clearance and diverting it into the net to give the hosts the lead.
There was enough time for the home side to add a third as Gift slotted past Porter from the penalty spot after Christian Imga had been felled by Theo Julienne in the box.
WHAT IT MEANS
After starting the UEFA Youth League with a defeat, we will look to bounce back in our next game against Olympiacos as we look to make it into the top 22 of the league phase. The best 22 teams will progress knockout phase, where they will be met by 10 sides from the domestic champions path.
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How the UEFA Youth League works](https://www.arsenal.com/news/how-uefa-youth-league-works?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
WHAT’S NEXT
Following on from our trip to Bilbao, our second contest of the UEFA Youth League will be against Olympiacos U19s on Wednesday, October 1, at 1pm. This match will take place at the Mangata Pay Stadium in Boreham Wood. As for our under-18s, they head to Ipswich looking to continue their unbeaten start to the U18 Premier League South season.
LINE-UPS
Arsenal XI: Porter, Nichols (Julienne 80'), Washington, Salmon (Hamill 64'), Clarke, Ibrahim, Dudziak (Murisa 64'), Copley (Agustien 80'), O'Neill, Bailey-Joseph (Hashi 68'), Harriman-Annous
Subs: Talbot, Onyekachukwu, Ogunnaike, Thompson
Athletic Club XI: Garcia, Unamuno, El Arbaoui, Larrea, Zarandona, Oyharcabal (Gift 59'), Cobos (Quintero 83'), Ezpeleta, Sanchez, Lozano (Imga 88'), Oyono (Hernandez 88')
Subs: Pagazartundua, Esparza, Carril, Torres, Iturria
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