Post-Match Report

Report: Arsenal U21s 2-1 Swansea City

Emile Smith Rowe in action for Arsenal U21

Swansea City U21 -

Meadow Park, Boreham Wood
Premier League Cup
Premier League Cup
  Arsenal U21
   crest
Arsenal U21
2 1
  Swansea City U21
   crest
Swansea City U21

WHAT HAPPENED

Our Premier League Cup campaign got off to a winning start on Wednesday night as we beat Swansea City 2-1 at Meadow Park.

Emile Smith Rowe, Cedric and new signing Fabio Vieira were all involved from the start in a strong-looking lineup named by Mehmet Ali, but it was the visitors who struck the first blow.

Josh Thomas capitalised on an error at the back and took the ball past James Hillson to roll it into the empty net after just 12 minutes.

We responded almost instantly after falling behind, equalising moments later through Joel Ideho after a clever through ball from Lino Sousa found our winger in space, who showed real composure to evade two defenders before finishing low.

Cedric gave us the lead with a real moment of quality, stepping up to a free-kick from all of 25 yards out and finding the top corner past beyond a helpless Archie Matthews.

Swansea found themselves down to 10 men on the stroke of half time, Joe Thomas being shown a straight red card for an excessive challenge on Lino Sousa.

Smith Rowe and Vieira were replaced at the break after encouraging performances as Ali shuffled his pack with Mauro Bandeira and Catalin Cirjan coming on. 

Amario Cozier-Duberry showed his versatility, shifting to the right after starting in central midfield and continued to link up with Ideho and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.

The visitors made life difficult for us even with 10 men and were a threat to our backline at moments, but forceful challenges from Zach Awe and Taylor Foran restricted Swansea from testing Hillson in goal.

We failed to increase our advantage, but put on a professional performance in the closing stages to see out the tie and claim three points in our opening group match in the Premier League Cup.

WHAT'S NEXT

The games come thick and fast for us, as we're back in Premier League 2 action Saturday, August 20, when we host Chelsea.

Kick-off at Meadow Park is at 2pm (UK time).

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