We lost 2-0 at home to RC Lens Under-19s in our penultimate group game of the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon.
Rayan Fofana's second-half header and Oscar Lenne's late tap-in was enough to secure the three points for the visitors.
Lens looking lively
Lens looked most likely to make the breakthrough during the first half and we were forced to focus on our defensive responsibilities, Maldini Kacurri and Alexei Rojas frequently on hand to clear the danger from the likes of Kembo Dillwidi, Ayanda Sishuba and Anthony Bermont.
Michal Rosiak looked to catch the Lens goalkeeper out with a free-kick, taken from a crossing position, aimed towards the near post, but he made the save and caught the follow-up header from Kacurri.
Ismail Oulad M’Hand came closest to an opener for us in the first half courtesy of a well-timed ball over the top from Jimi Gower, but Roman Karolewicz rushed off his line to make the save and keep the game goalless going into the break.
Growing into the game
We almost found the opening goal early in the second half when a ball through to Omari Benjamin had our number nine closing in on goal, but Marceau Apperry did well to get back and slide in to concede a corner.
Rosiak flicked the ball behind for a Lens corner from Sishuba's free-kick but the away side could only send the ball onto the roof of the net from the following set-piece.
Mehmet Ali made his first change in the 66th minute as Sebastian Ferdinand and Osman Kamara came on for Harrison Dudziak and Kacurri respectively.
Lens go in front
Lens took the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining, substitute Fofana heading into the top right corner after we failed to clear the danger from a corner kick.
He then volleyed high and wide as Lens looked to increase their lead and Fofana hunted a brace.
We made two further changes in the 77th minute, Chido Obi and Josh Robinson coming on for Benjamin and Josh Nichols.
Lens made it two in the 90th minute when Bermont's shot was pushed into the path of Lenne, who tapped the ball across the line.
What it means
We are bottom of Group B with one point from five games and cannot qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
What's next
Our Under-19s won't be in action again until Tuesday, December 12, when we travel to PSV Campus De Herdgang to take on PSV Eindhoven in our final group game of the UEFA Youth League. However, Mehmet Ali's Under-21s have a quick turnaround for this Friday's Premier League 2 fixture away to West Bromwich Albion.
Team sheet
Arsenal: Rojas (GK), Nichols (Robinson 77), Heaven, Walters (C), Kacurri (Kamara 66), Rosiak, Gower, Dudziak (Ferdinand 66), Benjamin (Obi 77), Oulad M'Hand, Sousa.
Substitutes (not used): Cooper (GK), Brown, Copley.
RC Lens: Karolewicz (GK), Escouflaire (Benabdelouahed 85), Lenne, Apperry, M'Bala (C), Sagnan, Herbin, Baud-Banaga (Dewaele 77), Dillwidi (Fofana 66), Sishuba (Aouad 77), Bermont.
Substitutes (not used): Boukemouche (GK), Boua Die, George.
Key events
Goals: RC Lens - Fofana (69), Lenne (90).
Bookings: Arsenal - Oulad M'Hand (32), Rosiak (72), Heaven (83), Kamara (86), RC Lens - Sagnan (90).
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