Post-Match Report

U21s report: Stevenage 3-2 Arsenal

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Jack Henry-Francis celebrate scoring for Arsenal U21s

Stevenage -

Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Papa Johns Trophy
Papa Johns Trophy
  Stevenage
   crest
Stevenage
3 2
  Arsenal U21
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Arsenal U21

WHAT HAPPENED

Our Papa Johns Trophy campaign came to an end at the round-of-32 stage as we were beaten 3-2 away to Stevenage on Tuesday night.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who already had three goals to his name in the competition this season, continued his impressive scoring streak to give us the lead inside five minutes, finishing calmly at the back post after Charles Sagoe Jr's initial effort was parried out.

Hubert Graczyk was forced into action to preserve our lead before the break, producing a remarkable stop with his feet to deny Stevenage an equaliser from close range.

The hosts restored parity shortly after the restart, Graczyk eventually beaten after just failing to keep out David Amoo's effort.

Stevenage took the lead for the first time in the tie midway through the half, Dan Sweeney rising highest to head home from a corner.

We rallied back and drew level through a superb solo run and finish from Amario Cozier-Duberry, our winger cutting inside and finding the corner after leaving a Stevenage defender on the ground.

The League Two side replied with their own stunning strike just one minute later, Arthur Read beating Graczyk from 25 yards out.

Cheered on by over 700 away supporters, we fought hard until the final whistle, but couldn't find an equaliser, despite having a late penalty appeal against Joel Ideho waved away.

WHAT IT MEANS

We bow out of the Papa Johns Trophy at the round-of-32 stage.

WHAT'S NEXT

We're back in Premier League Cup action at the weekend, when we travel to face Swansea City on Saturday, November 26.

Kick-off at the Landore Training Centre is at 2pm (UK time).

You can watch the match LIVE on Arsenal.com & the official Arsenal app.

TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Graczyk, Walters, Foran, Awe, Sousa, Smith (C), Henry-Francis, Bandeira, Cozier-Duberry, Sagoe Jr, Butler-Oyedeji

Substitutes: Hillson, Monlouis, Cirjan, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Taylor-Hart, Ideho

Substitutions:

ON - Ideho (66')

OFF - Sagoe Jr (66')

ON - Cirjan (78')

OFF - Henry-Francis (78')

ON - Nwaneri (79')

OFF - Bandeira (79')

ON - Lewis-Skelly (79')

OFF - Walters (79')

See Full List

Fixtures & Results

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