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Premier League 2
Crystal Palace 2 (Gibbard 5, Rodney 63 (pen.) Arsenal 0
Marli Salmon played the first 45 minutes as Arsenal U21s concluded their regular season with a 2-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace tonight.
The young Gunners conceded early on as Jospeh Gibbard capitalised on some hesitant defending to give Palace the lead.
It was 2-0 in the second half as Kaden Rodney scored from the penalty spot.
By that point Salmon had been withdrawn, perhaps due to him needing to be with the first-team squad ahead of the game against Sporting.
Arsenal were without the injured Theo Julienne, with Ceadach O’Neill, Archie Stevens, Andre Harriman-Annous and Salmon also coming into the side.
Josh Ogunnaike, Seb Ferdinand and Brando Bailey-Joseph all dropped to the bench, where they were joined by Harrison Dudziak, who made his return from injury.
Brayden Clarke retained the captain’s armband despite Salmon’s return to the team.
Ranson
Hamill-Clarke-Salmon-Washington
Ibrahim-Agustien
Stevens-O’Neill-Harriman Annous
Mooney
Subs: Ferdinand (for Hamill, 46), Ogunnaike (for Salmon, 46), Dudziak (for Stevens, 60), Bailey-Joseph (for Mooney, 79). Not used: Porter.
Palace threatened early on, with Joseph Gibbard shooting over.
Arsenal responded with their first chance of the game as O’Neill’s effort was off target.
It was Palace who took the lead, though, as Brayden Clarke misjudged a header following long ball and Gibbard was alert to find the net.
Shortly afterwards Clarke made an impressive defensive intervention before Dylan Reid shot wide for Palace.
Palace went into the break in the ascendancy following a rather uneventful first half.
Arsenal made a double change ahead of the second period as Callan Hamill (who had been booked) and Salmon were replaced by Ferdinand and Ogunnaike.
Palace substitute Joel Drakes-Thomas looked lively and the 16-year-old shot over before winning a penalty after being caught by Marcell Washington.
Kaden Rodney stepped up to the spot-kick and found the net.
Just prior to that Dudziak had made his return to action as he replaced Stevens.
Arsenal gradually increased the intensity, with Demiane Agustien seeing a deflected effort saved before Bailey-Joseph came on for Mooney.
The winger almost made an immediate impact as he shot wide after being found by Agustien.
Khari Ranson had to make a save to deny Rylan Brownlie at the other end in what proved to be the last significant action of the game.
Arsenal have fallen to 13th place and their first play-off opponents have yet to be decided, with other teams in action on Friday.
However, their recent form has been concerning – this was Arsenal’s fourth defeat in their last six games at this level.
Having to play in the same style as the first-team, which encompasses incredibly slow build-up play, certainly isn’t benefitting the team but it still feels like there is room for improvement regardless.
Arsenal will certainly have to perform to a much higher standard if they are to stand any chance of enjoying a lengthy run in the play-offs.