Zak Swanson thinks he did well against ‘one of the best players in the league’ in Leroy Sane, playing for the Arsenal u23s on Friday night.

Friday’s u23 match between Arsenal and Manchester City was a bit of a strange one. The Gunners gave game-time to four first-team players, getting a half each. Meanwhile, City gave 45 minutes Leroy Sane after his injury, up against u23 defender Zak Swanson.

The young right-back came through the half strongly though, making a number of key tackles and interceptions to stop Sane getting any real chances.

Speaking after the game, Swanson admitted he enjoyed the challenge:

“I think to play against a player like that in Leroy Sane, he does it in the Premier League week-in week-out and he shows he’s one of the best players in the league,” Swanson said.

“To play against him and test myself against him is the best thing to do and it’s how you get better and how you improve. If you play against the best players week-in, week-out that’s the best way to improve. Personally, I felt I did well tonight.”

Turning defence ➡️ into attack

By @ZakSwanson_3 ⏰ pic.twitter.com/UrUBfiAwtF

— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) February 29, 2020

Unfortunately, Arsenal lost the match 4-2, but there wasn’t much Swanson could do about that. The first two goals were a long shot and a goalkeeping error, neither of which came from Swanson’s flank. Then he came off in a substitution before City’s late winners.

All the same, Swanson was happy to play at the Emirates Stadium, given he’s a boyhood fan of the club.

“It’s the best thing for an Arsenal fan like me. We’ve played here three times this season so I think it gives me the belief and focus to make it a regular thing.”