Arsenal u19s lost the final of the prestigious Spax Cup on Monday, falling to a 3-0 defeat against FC Schalke 04.

After winning games against Fluminese and VfL Wolfsburg, the Gunners drew with hosts TuS Ennepetal on Sunday to head into the final four.

Eddie Nketiah scored the only goal in a semi-final defeat of Liverpool, before a strong Schalke side comfortably won the final by three goals.

Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan Huddart didn’t feature in the final but was named goalkeeper of the tournament. Nketiah also didn’t play in the defeat.

With the u17 Euros going on, Arsenal were without important players like Tafari Moore, Reiss Nelson, and Donyell Malen. Nelson and Malen in particularly are fantastic young talents.

However, it must be considered that the other competing teams would also have some of their key players missing.

Despite a disappointing final game, Arsenal produced some impressive results in order to make it that far ahead of some big clubs. The youth sides have done well this season, with the u21s earning promotion and the u18s making the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

Over the last 18 months or so the Gunners have increased the focus on the youth academy and it looks like it’s already paying off.