**UEFA Youth League**
**Slavia Prague 1 (Solarte 90) Arsenal 0**
Arsenal U19s suffered late heartbreak as they were beaten 1-0 away to Slavia Prague in the UEFA Youth League today.
The young Gunners battled bravely against a side that beat them 5-1 a year ago and who have a perfect record in the competition this season.
However, Miguel Solarte’s late goal saw Slavia take all three points, leaving Arsenal with a considerably difficult task if they are to progress beyond the league phase.
Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund and current leaders Real Madrid at home in their last two games but are now in 23rd place, with a top 22 final required to make it through.
Forward Andre Harriman-Annous was bright throughout for Arsenal, with Ceadach O’Neill and Marli Salmon also featuring, but the return journey to England won’t be a happy one.
Theo Julienne started at right-back, with Emerson Nwaneri in midfield and Igor Tyjon out wide, while Axel Donczew was named amongst the substitutes.
**Porter**
**Julienne-Salmon-Upson-Abubakar**
**Murisa**
**Hashi-Emerson Nwaneri**
**Tyjon-Harriman Annous-O’Neill**
**Subs: Ibrahim (for Murisa, 62), Ogunnaike (for Abubakar, 62), Bernard (for Tyjon, 70), Donczew (for Emerson Nwaneri, 90). Not used: C. Phillips, Owusu-Gyasi, Mbala, Munoz, Clarke**.
Arsenal had to some defensive work to attend to early on, with captain Salmon making a clearance and Slavia later seeing a headed effort go just wide.
Harriman-Annous, who was relishing playing as a central striker, provided Arsenal’s main threat at the other end and was denied on a couple of occasions.
In a first half that was full of intensity, Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter had to react well to tip a Slavia effort onto the post, with the follow-up attempt going wide.
Slavia were backed by a loud group of supporters but Arsenal started the second half brightly with Harriman-Annous threatening again.
The forward was then booked for an apparent dive, with Arsenal subsequently making a double change as Ife Ibrahim and Josh Ogunnaike came on.
O’Neill saw a free-kick kept out and then Mylo Bernard entered the fray, with the attacker adding greater energy to Arsenal’s play.
Bernard did well to find O’Neill, whose shot was deflected wide.
O’Neill’s free-kick then found Salmon, with the defender seeing his error pushed behind for a corner.
It seemed as though Arsenal were going to depart with what would have been a hard-earned point but then disaster struck in stoppage time as Solarte’s shot found the net, which prompted wild celebrations from the Slavia players and fans.
Arsenal were left dejected and, on paper at least, face a very difficult to task to progress, especially considering Real Madrid’s performances this season.
In their last Youth League game, Nwaneri’s late equaliser against Bayern Munich gave Arsenal hope of reaching the knockout stages. The emotions on this occasion are the complete opposite.