Arsenal U21s suffered a 4-1 defeat away to their Leicester City counterparts yesterday, with David Horseman’s team still without a league win this campaign.
Substitute Ceadach O’Neill managed to get a goal back but overall it was another frustrating occasion.
Marli Salmon played the first 45 minutes before being replaced, with the defender hoping to play some part for the first-team against Fleetwood in midweek.
Arsenal’s struggles at U21 level have several causes, with Horseman’s tendency to constantly rotate the team one such factor.
As a result there has often been a lack of cohesion in the team, which has lead to some concerning performances.
There is also a feeling that some members of this squad should have been sent out on loan in the summer, which would have allowed more of the U18s to step up.
Furthermore, there has been a lack of dynamism in the team at times and there hasn’t been much to suggest that matters will improve any time soon.
So far this season the U21s have drawn four and lost two of their six games in Premier League 2.
The upcoming EFL Trophy game away to AFC Wimbledon will offer a chance to boost morale, but some players could be unavailable due to involvement with the first-team against Fleetwood.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on X @jeorgebird