Arsenal’s U23s and U18s sides were both in action yesterday but unfortunately neither team were able to secure a victory.
The U23s went into their clash against Liverpool at Anfield having gone six games unbeaten in the league, but they ended up losing 3-0 on this occasion, with Mateusz Musialowski, Paul Glatzel and James Norris scoring.
Coach Kevin Betsy was able to call upon two members of the first-team squad in Arthur Okonkwo and Folarin Balogun, but Arsenal struggled defensively and also had several opportunities of their own kept out, with Omari Hutchinson and Salah-Eddine among those who were denied.
It was certainly a frustrating afternoon for the U23s, but it seems clear that Betsy won’t alter his approach and will persist with the system of a five-man defence which had served Arsenal well in previous games.
The U18s, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with Burnley in the group stages of the Premier League Cup.
Marcelo Flores, who is often Arsenal’s standout performer at that level, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after James Sweet was fouled.
However, Burnley levelled through Will Hugill. Arsenal managed to restore their lead as good work from Charles Sagoe Jr led to Burnley’s Dan Sassi scoring an own goal.
The game ended 2-2, though, with Tremaine Eastmond finding the net for Burnley late on.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Frustrating but hope they learn from it and get better.
Good luck to all of them.