**Vertu Trophy**
**Exeter City 4 (Magennis 50, 76, Aitchison 64, Wareham 87) Arsenal 3 (Sagoe Jr 16, Dudziak 54, Kamara 74)**
Arsenal U21s still have much work to do if they are to progress to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy following a tumultuous 4-3 defeat away to Exeter City tonight.
The young Gunners led on three occasions against the League One side but still ended up being beaten, with goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who was excellent in the first half, struggling in the second period.
Wingers Charles Sagoe Jr and Osman Kamara were lively and both found the net, while Harrison Dudziak scored his first goal for Arsenal at this level with a superb strike.
On an eventful evening there was also an U21s debut for first year scholar Teshaun Murisa and a first appearance in this competition for Josh Ogunnaike, with both players featuring as substitutes.
Arsenal were without a host of key players with Max Dowman, Andre Harriman-Annous and Louie Copley all training with the first-team today, while Marli Salmon is with England U17s.
Ceadach O’Neill was deployed up front as he made his first start for the U21s.
**Setford**
**Nichols-Clarke-Sweet-Washington**
**Ibrahim**
**Dudziak-Agustien**
**Kamara-O’Neill-Sagoe Jr**
**Subs: Ogunnaike (for Washington, 71), Hamill (for Nichols, 72), Murisa (for Ibrahim, 77), Ferdinand (for Kamara, 84). Not used: Ranson, Julienne, Stevens.**
Setford, who captained the team, had to make a save early on, with Arsenal then creating a chance of their own when Demiane Agustien’s shot was deflected wide.
Setford made another stop and then Arsenal took the lead with Sagoe Jr finding the top corner with an excellent finish after exchanging passes with O’Neill.
Exeter looked to respond, with Setford having to be alert to make further stops while Sil Swinkels headed just over for the hosts on one occasion.
Arsenal had a chance to double their lead just before the break but Kamara’s effort hit the crossbar.
Early in the second half Marcell Washington found Agustien with a good cross, with the midfielder shooting just wide.
Setford then did well to tip the ball over the crossbar but shortly afterwards the goalkeeper dwelled on the ball for too long and was punished by Josh Magennis, who equalised for Exeter.
Arsenal responded almost immediately as Josh Nichols’ effort was pushed away and Dudziak scored with a superb strike.
Further questions were asked of Setford as Exeter scored again, this time courtesy of Jack Aitchison.
Sagoe Jr shot wide and then Arsenal changed their full-backs as Callan Hamill and Ogunnaike came on for Nichols and Washington.
Arsenal went in front yet again with Sagoe Jr finding Kamara, who made no mistake on this occasion.
Remarkably, Exeter then equalised once more as Magennis made it 3-3 despite Hamill attempting to clear the ball off the line.
Murisa, who has impressed at U18 level, then made his U21s debut as he replaced Ibrahim, with Seb Ferdinand later coming on for Kamara.
Exeter continued to threaten, with Setford doing well to keep out Jayden Wareham’s flicked effort.
Wareham wasn’t to be denied, however, as he scored what proved to be the decisive goal for Exeter.
During nine minutes of added time there was chances for both teams – Magennis’ free-kick for Exeter went just wide and then Will Sweet headed off target for Arsenal.
Arsenal will be frustrated to lose a game in which they lead three times and Setford will certainly be disappointed with his second half display.
The goalkeeper, who is part of the first-team squad, certainly has ability but needs regular playing time which only a loan spell can provide.
Sagoe Jr, as he often has been this season, was bright and Kamara also frequently got into dangerous areas.
All four teams in Group I have three points each, with matters intriguingly poised ahead of the final round of fixtures when Arsenal will face Cardiff.
