Arsenal’s u23s lost again in Premier League 2 after they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City on Friday night.

In a game which Ainsley Maitland-Niles impressed, not long after saying he hopes to breakthrough into the Arsenal first team this season, the Young Guns lost to a Rodney Kongolo goal on the back of great work from Aaron Nemane, named Manchester City Man of the Match, in the 32nd minute.

What was perhaps most interesting was the absence of Krystian Bielik. Jeff Reine-Adelaide, as we know has been promoted to the first team, but Bielik’s disappearance from the u23 squad could hint at the Pole’s inclusion in Saturday’s senior squad for the game against Leicester.

With the centre back problems we have in the first team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bielik drafted in. Ridiculous, perhaps, but not at all surprising, especially given that he was training with the first team this week.

Lineup: Macey, Johnson (75), Da Graca, Sheaf, Pileas, Kamara, Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Bennacer (c), Willock (75), Mavididi.

Subs: Keto, T. Bola, McGuane (75), Mourgos, Malen (75).