An Arsenal academy side have completed their first day playing in the u17 Bundesliga Cup in Germany.
Arsenal are competing in the u17 Bundesliga Cup this weekend, as the sole English club alongside seven German sides.
The format is a group stage followed by knockout ties. There are two groups of four, with each team playing the others in their group once in 40-minute matches.
The winner of group 1 will face the second-place team in group 2 in the semi-final, and vice-versa. There will also be matches between the two teams in third in each group and the two teams in fourth to decide final overall placings.
Arsenal drew Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart and FC Köln in group 2, playing their first two matches on Saturday followed by their game against Köln and any knockout games on Sunday. Let’s have a look at how they got on during their first day.
Bayern Munich 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal started off with a draw against Bayern in their opening group game. Riccardo Wagner gave the Germans the lead in the fourth minute, but Malcolm Ebiowei equalised 12 minutes later after being set up by Khayon Edwards.
Arsenal had another goal from Edwards disallowed, and they had to settle for a draw.
VfB Stuttgart 2-0 Arsenal
Arsenal’s second game of the day didn’t get off to a good start, with Max Wagner and Daniel Frimpong giving Stuttgart a 2-0 lead before the halfway point in the match.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t find a way back into the contest, so that was how it ended. Arsenal now need a good win over Köln, and Stuttgart to drop points against Bayern, to progress to the semis on the final day.
If Arsenal do manage to achieve a second-place finish, Hoffenheim are currently leading group 1.
Group 2 as it stands
Team | P | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
Köln | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Stuttgart | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Bayern | 2 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Arsenal | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Key: P – Played, GF – Goals for, GA – Goals against, GD – Goal difference, Pts – Points.
We’ll bring you updates from the second day as soon as Arsenal’s involvement is done.