Arsenal U21s lost 3-1 at Manchester City in the first round of the Premier League 2 play-offs on Saturday evening.
The Young Gunners have now been knocked out of the play-offs by City for the second consecutive season.
City started the brighter side, creating the game’s first real chance. The ball fell kindly to Floyd Samba on the edge of the box, but Marli Salmon made a vital block to avert the danger.
Despite City’s bright start, their goalkeeper Thorsten Spike Brits was the first to be tested. He made a good save to keep out Evan Mooney’s strike from range.
City were awarded a penalty after 25 minutes. Sverre Nypan, once linked with Arsenal, stepped up, but Tommy Setford saved his effort and Samba’s from the rebound.
Setford produced another superb save in the 40th minute, denying Samba, who had run through on goal.
Arsenal then came close to breaking the deadlock, with Brando Bailey-Joseph hitting the crossbar, before Ife Ibrahim’s effort from the rebound was denied by a goalline clearance.
The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute when the ball broke to Andre Harriman-Annous, who scored from close range.
The Cityzens drew level shortly after the interval through Christian McFarlane’s composed finish.
Nypan made amends for his earlier penalty miss, giving them the lead in the 61st minute. He picked up a loose ball, before firing past Setford.
Arsenal had Salmon to thank, making a brilliant sliding challenge to prevent Mahamadou Sangare from getting a third for City.
However, seven minutes from time, Ryan McAidoo sealed their victory following a well-worked counter-attack.