One of just five u21 teams remaining in the competition, Arsenal have learned their draw for the EFL Trophy Round of 32.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali looks on during the Papa John's Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali looks on during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Arsenal qualified for the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy with a dramatic comeback win on the final day of the group stages, finishing second in the group on goal difference.

Three teams ended the group on six points, with Arsenal five goals behind Ipswich Town in first place and one ahead of Cambridge United in third. Northampton Town ended up in fourth with no points.

Of the 16 u21 teams in the 16 groups, only five managed to make it to the knockout stages – Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That meant early exits for the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and others.

As for Arsenal, they’ve drawn Stevenage in the next round. They’ll play away from home against the League Two side, who currently sit second in their division.

The matches are set to take place later this month, during the week commencing November 21st.

The full draw is below, with the teams still split between north and south at this stage of the competition.

Northern Section

  • Bolton Wanderers v Barrow
  • Everton U21 v Mansfield Town
  • Salford City v Bradford City
  • Port Vale v Barnsley
  • Manchester United U21 v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
  • Grimsby Town v Accrington Stanley
  • Burton Albion v Tranmere Rovers
  • Lincoln City v Morecambe

Southern Section

  • Colchester United v Bristol Rovers
  • Stevenage v Arsenal U21
  • AFC Wimbledon v Sutton United
  • MK Dons v Newport County
  • Ipswich Town v Portsmouth
  • Forest Green Rovers v Cheltenham Town
  • Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic
  • Chelsea U21 v Peterborough United
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John's Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Arsenal U21 manager Mehmet Ali makes a point to Ethan Nwaneri prior to coming on as a substitute during the Papa John’s Trophy match between Northampton Town and Arsenal U21 at Sixfields on October 18, 2022. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

After making it further than any other u21 team last season, reaching the quarter-final, Arsenal will be hoping to repeat the trick again this year.

But with Manchester United drawing Wolves and ensuring at least one of them will make it to the Round of 16, Arsenal have a job on their hands to achieve that feat for a second year running.