Our young Gunners gave it everything, but fell just short in a seven-goal thriller against League One side Exeter City in the Vertu Motors Trophy.
Despite taking the lead three times through Charles Sagoe Jr, Harrison Dudziak, and Osman Kamara, the Grecians fought back on each occasion before netting late on to steal all three points.
What happened
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We started brightly, with Ife Ibrahim playing a delightful outside of the boot pass into Demiane Agustien, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.
We took the lead just shortly after mark when Sagoe Jr won back possession and linked up superbly with Ceadach O’Neill. After receiving the return pass, Sagoe Jr danced his way into the box and fired a powerful effort into the top corner.
Jack Aitchison thought he had levelled for the hosts, but Tommy Setford got down low to make a terrific save, pushing the shot behind for a corner.
Exeter came close twice just before the break - first, Sil Swinkels headed over from close range following a free-kick, before Setford denied Liam Oakes with another fine stop.
We nearly doubled our advantage when Washington’s shot fell kindly to Osman Kamara, but his strike cannoned back off the crossbar.
Straight after the restart, Washington surged down the left-hand side and found Agustien in the box, but his shot flashed narrowly wide of the near post.
The hosts levelled soon after when Josh Magennis dispossessed Setford, who appeared to have been fouled, and slotted home, with the goal allowed to stand.
We responded quickly, retaking the lead through Dudziak, who unleashed a superb long-range effort into the corner.
Exeter hit back again when Aitchison found the bottom corner after a neat passage of play.
Our young Gunners refused to back down and went ahead for a third time when Sagoe Jr intercepted a pass and set up Kamara to finish confidently.
But the Grecians equalised once more, as Magennis scrambled home from close range after Setford’s initial save.
The hosts completed their comeback late on, when substitute Jayden Wareham met a flick-on from a corner to guide the ball home - giving Exeter their first lead of the night and ultimately all three points.
What it means
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Despite the defeat, we still remain top of Group A on goals scored with three points from our opening two games, with one fixture left to play.
What’s next
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Our under-21s return to Premier League 2 action on Friday, November 7, with an away trip to Southampton at the Staplewood Training Ground.
Kick-off is at 7pm.
TEAM NEWS
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**Exeter City:** Bycroft, Francis, Aitchison (Birch, 71) Niskanen (Andrew, 54), Swinkels (Turns, 54), Woodhouse, Sweeney, Magennis, Dean (McDonald, 71) Oakes, Wilson (Wareham, 71)
**Subs not used:** Whitworth, Cummins
**Arsenal XI:** Setford, Nichols (Hamill, 71) Clarke, Sweet, Washington (Ogunnaike, 71), Ibrahim (Murisa, 76), Dudziak, Agustien, Kamara (Ferdinand, 84) Sagoe Jr, O’Neill
**Subs not used:** Ranson, Stevens, Julienne,
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