Arsenal U19s concluded their UEFA Youth League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge yesterday.
The result means that David Horseman’s side will finish in 32nd place out of 36 teams and it was a hugely frustrating ending as Arsenal conceded twice late on.
Arsenal played with ten men for much of the game after schoolboy debut Mishel Nduka somewhat harshly received a straight red card in the first half.
Goalkeeper Jack Porter produced some outstanding saves and he was supported by centre-backs Angelinou Pedro and Brayden Clarke, who forged an impressive partnership at the heart of the defence.
U16 player Pedro was making just his second appearance for the U19s but acquitted himself well, while Wales youth international Clarke also made some important interventions.
Somewhat bizarrely, Club Brugge’s two goals came after they were reduced to ten men themselves, with Wout Verlinden dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Arsenal gave debuts to numerous players with Abraham Owusu-Gyasi, Mikael Bonaventure Yetna and Jaden Maghoma all coming on for their first experience of this competition. Striker Maghoma is just 14 years old and is the third youngest player to feature for Arsenal in the competition after Luis Munoz and Max Dowman.
Arsenal’s record in the Youth League certainly doesn’t make for great reading but it is encouraging that they have given opportunities in the last two games to younger players than usual.
As long as the first-team keep qualifying for the Champions League, the U19s will continue to be involved in the Youth League and there will be much focus again amongst the club’s coaching staff on how Arsenal can improve in this competition.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird