Arsenal’s u23s were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham on Monday, thanks chiefly to the largely changed side the Gunners put out.
Players like Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock performing so well for the u23s has proven to be both a blessing and a curse for the youth teams.
When they’re available, the side doesn’t tend to lose many matches, but as a result they’ve been called up to the first-team multiple times, and left the u23s to fend for themselves.
On this occasion, 10 youth players have been held back for potential involvement against Norwich City in the League Cup, meaning those 10 players were unavailable for the u23s.
Some of the u18s stepped up to help out, and it was an inexperienced side that ended up lining up against Spurs on Monday.
As a result, Spurs took the lead, as Shayon Harrison and then Samuel Shashoua scored to make it 2-0 before 15 minutes had even been played.
Arsenal did then start to make a comeback, with Charlie Gilmour hitting the crossbar before John-Jules scored his first u23 goal, turning in a corner. Then, still in the first 25 minutes, Charlie Gilmour then got his goal, converting a penalty awarded for handball.
But the Gunners couldn’t complete the comeback in the second half, and Spurs ended up scoring a penalty of their own to make it 3-2, with Marcus Edwards getting the goal and Tottenham leaving with the three points.
Line up: Virginia; Pleguezuelo, Olowu, Medley; Moore, Gilmour, Dragomir, T. Bola; Eyoma, John Jules; Balogun
Subs: Omole (for John-Jules)
Not used: Keto, Benson, Swanson, Clarke.