Report – Fabio Vieira scores and misses a penalty, Reiss Nelson impresses as Arsenal U21s lose to Reading in Bristol Street Motors Trophy

Bristol Street Motors Trophy – Group stage

Reading 5 (Ehibhatiomhan 13, 35, Vickers 24, Knibbs 68, Smith 90) Arsenal U21s 2 (Vieira 33 (pen.), Edwards 53)

Arsenal U21s were forced to settle for a second place finish in their EFL Trophy group after a chaotic encounter away to Reading in which the young Gunners lost 5-2 despite the involvement of two first-team players in Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson.

Vieira and Nelson, two of the first-team squad members who aren’t on international duty, were both heavily involved in proceedings. Vieira scored a penalty in the first half but missed one in the second while Nelson, who was making his first appearance at this level since 2021, excelled in the second half and provided an assist for Khayon Edwards, while he also won a spot-kick.

Arsenal were vulnerable defensively and finished the game with ten men after first-year scholar Ayden Heaven was sent off.

Mehmet Ali was without Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Lino Sousa, who are all away with England at youth level.

Sagoe Jr was deployed on the right wing with Nelson on the left flank. Miguel Azeez was named amongst the substitutes, where he was joined by U18 players Josh Nichols, Maldini Kacurri and Seb Ferdinand.

Reading, who are bottom of League One, made eleven changes from their last league fixture.

This was Arsenal’s first game in this competition since it was rebranded as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Ejeheri

Walters-Foran-Monlouis-Heaven

Henry Francis-Ibrahim

Sagoe Jr-Vieira-Nelson

Edwards

Subs: Gower (for Henry-Francis, 55), Azeez (for Ibrahim, 56), Ferdinand (for Monlouis, 78), Nichols (for Nelson, 90). Not used: Hillson, Kacurri, I. Oulad M’Hand.

Reading provided an indication of their attacking threat early on when Heaven lost possession and the ball fell to Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who shot wide.

Arsenal then responded with an effort of their own as Sagoe Jr cut inside and had a shot saved.

With 13 minutes gone Reading took the lead as Ehibhatiomhan capitalised on some slack defending and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Ovie Ejeheri made a save and then the two first-team players combined as Vieira found Nelson, whose shot was tipped over the crossbar by Joel Pereira.

From the resultant Arsenal corner, however, Reading staged a counter-attack that culminated in Caylan Vickers making it 2-0.

Arsenal looked to respond as Sagoe Jr and Nelson had chances and then the young Gunners were awarded a penalty after Edwards was caught in the area by goalkeeper Pereira.

Vieira stepped up to take the spot-kick and succeeded in converting it.

Ejeheri had to make a save at the other end but then Reading restored their two-goal lead as Ehibhatiomhan scored again, with Reuell Walters losing the ball this time.

Nelson and Edwards threatened in the closing stages of the first half but Arsenal went into the break trailing by two goals.

Nelson emerged for the second half with extra determination and he soon succeeded in taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

In something of a throwback to when he used to dominate games for the U21s, Nelson embarked on a brilliant run, with his subsequent shot then being blocked.

The 23-year-old then proceeded in setting up Edwards, who got Arsenal’s second goal of the game. This was no ordinary assist, however, with Nelson producing a scarcely believable piece of skill prior to finding the striker.

Arsenal made a double change, with midfielders Azeez and Jimi Gower coming on for Bradley Ibrahim and Jack Henry-Francis.

For Azeez it was a first appearance for Arsenal in this competition for almost three years.

Walters conceded a penalty with a foul but Ejeheri managed to keep out Ehibhatiomhan’s effort.

Reading were persistent, though, and eventually managed to get their fourth goal through an excellent finish from substitute Harvey Knibbs.

In a hugely eventful game Taylor Foran then had the ball in the back of the net at the other end but the centre-back was livid when his effort was ruled out for offside.

Seb Ferdinand, who excelled in the last game in this competition against Exeter, then entered the fray in place of captain Zane Monlouis, who was struggling with cramp.

Nelson won a penalty after more great skill but on this occasion Vieira’s spot-kick was kept out by his compatriot Pereira.

Any chance that Arsenal had of securing something from this game appeared to vanish when Heaven was sent off for a rash challenge on Knibbs.

As a result Ali’s side had to play the 12 minutes of stoppage time with ten men.

Ferdinand sent in a dangerous cross towards Edwards, who shot wide but Reading added to their lead when Ejeheri squandered possession and substitute Samuel Smith scored.

Josh Nichols came on for Nelson to make his debut in this competition but Arsenal couldn’t reduce the deficit any further and now face a potentially tougher draw in the knockout stages.

Nelson should be commended for showing excellent determination after dropping back down to this level and he provided a reminder of his flair.

Vieira had mixed luck from the penalty spot but didn’t really influence the game much in terms of his overall play.

With regards to the academy players, most of the standout performances came from the substitutes, with the likes of Ferdinand, Azeez and Gower giving good accounts of themselves.

Ejeheri made some good stops but the defence was far too vulnerable and Arsenal were often the architects of their own downfall. Sousa’s presence in the side was missed but Heaven will certainly learn a lot from this game.

It was certainly an entertaining evening, although Arsenal won’t be too happy with their overall display.