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Premier League 2 playoffs – Last 16
Manchester City 3 (McFarlane 55, Nypan 61 (pen.), McAidoo 83) Arsenal 1 (Harriman-Annous 43)
Arsenal U21s were eliminated from the Premier League 2 playoffs by Manchester City for the second season in succession as they lost 3-1 at Joie Stadium tonight.
The young Gunners took the lead through Andre Harriman-Annous just before the break but City found the net three times in the second half.
It has been a concerning season overall at this level for Arsenal and there will surely need to be changes in coaching staff as well as an assessment of the club’s philosophy at this level.
First-team squad member Tommy Setford started in goal, while Marli Salmon captained the side with Brayden Clarke not available.
Josh Nichols was deployed at right-back for his first appearance for the U21s since January and Theo Julienne returned from injury to make the bench.
First year scholar Patrick Stachow travelled with the squad as the extra man.
Setford
Nichols-Salmon-Ogunnaike-Washington
Ibrahim
Dudziak-O’Neill
Bailey Joseph-Mooney-Harriman Annous
Subs: Hamill (for Washington, 68), Agustien (for Bailey-Joseph, 68), Julienne (for Dudziak, 78), Ferdinand (for Nichols, 84). Not used: Porter.
City were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute as Reigan Heskey was fouled by Nichols.
Sverre Nypan stepped up to take the spot-kick but Setford was able to keep it out.
Brando Bailey-Joseph then hit the crossbar for Arsenal before the young Gunners took the lead just before half time.
Harriman-Annous finished well following good work from Mooney.
Arsenal went into the break in the lead but City managed to equalise just ten minutes into the second half, with Christian McFarlane scoring.
Nypan then atoned for his earlier penalty miss by putting City in the lead.
A double change followed for Arsenal, with Callan Hamill and Demiane Agustien replacing Marcell Washington and Bailey-Joseph.
Julienne later come on for Dudziak but there was still time for City to add to their lead as Ryan McAidoo scored.
Seb Ferdinand replaced Nichols and then the final whistle blew as Arsenal’s Premier League 2 season came to an end.
City certainly seem to have the edge over Arsenal at youth level having also eliminated the Gunners in the FA Youth Cup this season.
For all the challenges this season, some players, including the likes of Harriman-Annous, Ife Ibrahim, Julienne and Ceadach O’Neill have made encouraging progress.
Now, though, there will surely have to be significant changes at this level both in terms of players and coaching staff.