While the Arsenal first-team are on track to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Gunners’ U19 side have already been eliminated from the UEFA Youth League.
Mehmet Ali’s team knew that they faced a significant task to make it through after losing their first three group games.
The young Gunners found themselves a goal down at home to their Sevilla counterparts yesterday but produced an excellent second half display and secured a point courtesy of a header from captain Reuell Walters.
It wasn’t enough to keep Arsenal in the competition, though, and they have now been eliminated with two group games still to play.
The majority of Arsenal’s performances in the competition this season were disappointing as they often enjoyed lots of possession but lacked ruthlessness in the final third.
In the second half against Sevilla, though, Arsenal finally clicked into gear, with the likes of Josh Nichols, Bradley Ibrahim and Ismail Oulad M’Hand all performing very well, while Jimi Gower also gave a good account of himself.
The tournament has still been a useful experience for Arsenal and they will look to impress in the final two games against Lens and PSV.
Arsenal’s involvement in next season’s Youth League will be dependent on the first-team qualifying for the Champions League or the U18s winning their league, with the first scenario looking more likely at present.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
