The Arsenal u15s have been eliminated from the Premier League u15 International Tournament at the semi-final stage, after winning the event last time around.
Arsenal's u15s celebrate a goal at the Premier League u15 International Tournament (Photo via PLYouth on Twitter)
Photo via PLYouth on Twitter
The Arsenal u15s have been playing at the Premier League u15 International Tournament this week, joining eight other English sides and three overseas opponents at the three-day event.
Having won the tournament last season, Arsenal were drawn in a group with Manchester City, Galatasaray, and Middlesbrough this time around, and they kicked things off against City.
Despite taking the lead with an excellent finish from distance, the match finished 1-1 after City pulled a goal back with a corner routine, giving Arsenal work to do in the other two group games.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 21: TV expert Per Mertesacker looks on prior to the international friendly match between Austria and Germany at Ernst Happel Stadion on November 21, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
The prospect of group elimination loomed large as Galatasaray took a 2-1 lead over Arsenal into the half-time break of the second match, but the Gunners performed an impressive comeback to win the game 4-2.
Yet hopes of progression hung by a thread after a two-goal defeat to Middlesbrough in the third match, and Arsenal ultimately had to rely on making it through as the best runner-up from the three groups – pipping fellow runners-up Newcastle United and Liverpool to progression.
Chelsea playing against Liverpool in the Premier League u15 International Cup (Photo via PLYouth on Twitter)
Photo via PLYouth on Twitter
Arsenal faced Group C winners Chelsea in the semi-finals, but they narrowly lost 1-0 to the eventual champions to end their hopes of retaining the trophy.
All the same, the chance to play against an overseas team in Galatasaray and to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea will be good experience for the young Gunners.
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