Our Under-21s shift focus to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as we head to League Two side Colchester United for our final group-stage clash. Kick-off at the JobServe Community Stadium is set for 7pm (UK time).
In our last outing in this competition, we fought hard to secure a 2-2 draw against MK Dons, coming from behind twice with goals from Andre Harriman-Annous and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji. Currently, we lead the group with four points from two games, having defeated Leyton Orient 2-1 in our opener and then sharing the points with MK Dons.
The Opposition
Colchester United, currently in League Two, hold 21st place in the league with two wins, seven draws, and five losses. They approach this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw with Barrow. Despite their league position, Colchester has performed well in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, sitting second in our group with four points, just behind us on goal difference.
They began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over MK Dons and followed up with a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient. A player to keep an eye on is Lyle Taylor, their leading scorer with five goals in 11 league appearances this season.
We'll also be facing some familiar faces, as both of Colchester's first-team goalkeepers have roots in the Arsenal Academy. Tom Smith (pictured below left), who joined us at eight years old, spent 13 years in our academy before moving on last year. Matt Macey (pictured below right), who joined Arsenal from Bristol Rovers at 18, played several games for our under-21s.
How It Stands
In this competition, the top two teams from each group progress to the round of 32. For our young Gunners, a win or a draw will be enough to secure a spot in the knockout stages. However, a loss to Colchester, combined with a victory for either MK Dons or Leyton Orient, would eliminate us from the tournament.
| P | W | D | L | BP | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal U21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Colchester United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| MK Dons | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | −1 | 2 |
| Leyton Orient | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | −1 | 2 |
How to follow
We've been allocated tickets in the North Stand, and you can purchase yours directly on Colchester United's website here. Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult: £10
- Senior (65+): £6
- Under 18: £3
For those who can't attend in person, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports for UK viewers. You can also follow live commentary on our academy’s X page, with a full match report available on Arsenal.com shortly after the final whistle.
After the match, stay tuned for exclusive interviews with Mehmet Ali and one of our young Gunners, along with highlights covering all the key moments.
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