The Arsenal u19s ended up with nothing despite plenty of positive moments in their second UEFA Youth League match against Lille on Tuesday afternoon.
After a win for Arsenal in their opening UEFA Youth League game away to Napoli, the Gunners played their first home game of this season’s competition against Lille on Tuesday afternoon.
The team were without a few key players, with Ceadach O’Neill and Maalik Hashi reportedly called up to the first-team squad, seemingly joining Marli Salmon and Max Dowman with the senior side.
But that offered Mylo Bernard the chance to make his Youth League debut, and Ife Ibrahim was available to start in midfield after his recent first-team appearance in the League Cup.
In a very entertaining game, the first goal was arguably the most disappointing from an Arsenal point of view. A corner from Ismael Camara went straight into the net, despite being at a good height for multiple Arsenal players to attempt to clear.
Josh Ogunnaike scored a nicely-taken equaliser for 1-1, and Arsenal had some chances to take the lead. But Elijah Upson conceded a penalty 36th minute, and Lille’s Yeli Traore converted for 2-1.
Just when it looked like Arsenal would have the chance to go and group at half-time, Lille doubled their lead with a good finish from Saad Boussadia.
Despite the unfortunate timing of Lille’s third, it was a goal they deserved, with Jack Porter making a number of good saves before and after the break to prevent the scoreline from getting out of hand.
Arsenal pushed to get back into the game in the second half, and Upson made amends for his earlier error by powering home a header from a Luis Munoz corner for 3-2.
The Gunners had a couple of penalty appeals late on, but nothing was given, and when a late chance for Brayden Clarke went begging, the team had no choice but to settle for defeat.
With Bayern Munich up next, things aren’t going to get any easier for the young Gunners. But they shouldn’t be too disheartened by Tuesday’s result, as it was only a couple of errors separating victory from defeat on the day.
Arsenal u19 lineup vs Lille
Porter, Julienne, Clarke, Upson, Ogunnaike, Murisa, Ibrahim, Nwaneri, Donczew, Bernard, Harriman-Annous
Substitutes
Munoz (for Donczew, 46), Abubakar (for Murisa, 46), Maghoma (for Nwaneri, 57), Sesay (for Bernard, 76), Odaji-Ukueku (for Julienne, 76), Talbot, Mbala, McCarron, Purdy
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