Arsenal U21s lose in extra-time to Man City to get knocked out of PL2 play-off

Arsenal U21s were knocked out of the Premier League 2 play-off on Saturday evening, losing 3-2 at Manchester City.

Forward Khayon Edwards gave Arsenal the lead within 50 seconds, placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Matty Henderson-Hall nearly restored parity for City on 15 minutes, with the winger’s header hitting the left post after Divine Mubama flicked on Ashton Muir’s cross.

Goalkeeper Spike Brits made a good save in the 18th minute, denying forward Charles Sagoe Jr from doubling Arsenal’s lead.

Edwards then missed a chance to score his second of the game, failing to connect with Sagoe Jr’s cross after a promising counter-attack.

Defender Seb Naylor forced goalkeeper Khari Ranson to make a save in the 41st minute from a free-kick.

Five minutes after the restart, Louie Copley doubled the Gunners’ advantage, running into the area before chipping the ball over Brits.

Brits was called into action again as he had to stop Jack Henry-Francis’s effort from finding the bottom corner.

Man City halved the deficit in the 75th minute after Ranson failed to clear his lines properly, allowing Muir to slot the ball into the net.

The Cityzens had a goal disallowed when Charlie Gray scored from outside the box but Muir was in an offside position.

They found the leveller deep into stoppage time through right-back Lakyle Samuel, forcing the game to extra-time.

Arsenal’s first effort in the extra-time fell to Henry-Francis whose shot from outside the penalty area could not hit the target.

Gray came close to getting the winner for City, running into the penalty box before aiming at goal but Ranson pulled off a great save to deny him.

Man City netted the winner in the 106th minute as striker Divine Mubama placed the ball home with a powerful shot.