Arsenal U21s beaten by National League side to extend pre-season struggles
Arsenal U21s continued their pre-season with a 2-0 loss to National League South side Enfield Town at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Goalkeeper Remy Mitchell, who was recently re-signed, started in goal, new signing Demiane Agustien made his first start, and Cam’ron Ismail was reinstated into the team.
Enfield started on the front foot, with forward Lamar Reynolds being put through on goal, but Mitchell saved his effort.
Midfielder Ceadach O’Niell then won a free-kick, which he smashed on the wall. He later found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Forward Louis Zecevic-John was threatening early on, forcing goalkeeper Rhys Forster to make saves on several occasions.
Mitchell was called into action before halftime, saving from close range to deny captain Sam Youngs’ effort from Billy Leaonard’s in-swinging corner.
Just after the restart, the 21-year-old goalkeeper made another brilliant stop, tipping Avan Jones’ effort to keep the scoreline goalless.
Interim coach Max Porter made seven changes to the team just before the hour mark as the Gunners continued the search for a breakthrough.
The changes nearly made an impact when Agustien did well to position himself to shoot, but his effort curled over the bar.
Enfield broke the deadlock on 66 minutes – goalkeeper Rhy Foster played a long ball over the top for Reynolds to lob the ball over Mitchell.
Charles Sagoe-Jr almost restored parity for the Gunners, beating three players before shooting on target, forcing Foster to parry the ball into danger.
The hosts doubled the advantage and secured the victory with a moment of individual brilliance from Joe Payne, whose looping throw-in found Harry Lodovica in the six-yard box, and the latter headed the ball home.
The young Gunners are still winless in pre-season. They will hope to change that when they face National League side Chelmsford City on Saturday at the Melbourne Stadium.
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