Report – Smith Rowe hits brace as Arsenal U23s lose 6-5 to Manchester City

Premier League 2

Manchester City 6 (Zoubdi 7, 50, 88, Bernabe 45, Richards (pen) 62, Matondo 73) Arsenal 5 (Smith Rowe 20, 53, Bielik 36, Amaechi 41, Mavididi 86)

If this is what Arsenal U23s will be like under Freddie Ljungberg then it promises to be a very entertaining season indeed.

The young Gunners started their defence of the Premier League 2 title with a 6-5 defeat away to Manchester City in a remarkable contest and missed some notable chances to add to their tally, including when Eddie Nketiah shot wide from the penalty spot and Stephy Mavididi rattled a post.

Emile Smith Rowe, who enjoyed an excellent pre-season with the first-team, enhanced his reputation further with a brace, but Arsenal’s defending left a lot to be desired against an impressive City side.

Arsenal named a strong side, but they were without some notable names including Reiss Nelson, who is with the first-team, and Ben Sheaf, who remains injured. Gedion Zelalem, meanwhile, isn’t yet fit enough to feature despite playing a part in the friendly against Bournemouth last weekend.

First-year scholars Arthur Okonkwo and Bukayo Saka received their first league call-ups at this level as they made the bench.

Iliev

Osei Tutu-Bielik-Pleguezuelo-Bola

Gilmour-Willock

Amaechi-Smith Rowe-Nketiah

Mavididi

Subs: Saka (for Nketiah, 77), Olayinka (for Gilmour, 83). Not used: Okonkwo, Medley, Olowu.

An entertaining encounter was expected and that was exactly what unfolded, with both sides possessing plenty in the way of attacking firepower.

City took the lead with just seven minutes gone when Zoubdi found the net but Arsenal clawed their way back into the game, with Smith Rowe, full of confidence, levelling after being teed up by Xavier Amaechi.

Arsenal then took the lead when Krystian Bielik, who is delighted to be back playing after injury, headed home from Charlie Gilmour’s corner, and then it was 3-1 as Amaechi finished adroitly following good work from Tolaji Bola.

City were far from out of the game, however, and they provided a reminder of their quality deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half when Adrian Bernabe slotted home.

In the second half City continued to push forwards and they levelled when Zoubdi got his second goal of the game, but Arsenal were soon back in front courtesy of Smith Rowe.

More drama was to come as City made it 4-4 when Taylor Richards scored a penalty before substitute Rabbi Matondo put the hosts in front.

Nketiah missed a golden chance to score with a penalty but Mavididi made it 5-5 when he was teed up by Saka, who had just been brought on.

It was City, though, who would end up taking all three points as Zoubdi struck again to complete his hat-trick and Mavididi squandered an excellent opportunity.

There were certainly positives for Arsenal to take from this game, not least the performance of Smith Rowe, but there is much work to do, especially defensively.