UEFA Youth League
Arsenal 3 (Dudziak 3, Dowman 29 (pen.), 85 (pen.) Atletico Madrid 4 (Vinatea 17, Esteban 56 (pen.), Hernandez 58, Barrios 86)
By Jeorge Bird @ Meadow Park, Borehamwood
Arsenal’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League were reduced further still as they were beaten 4-3 at home by Atletico Madrid today.
Despite taking an early lead through Harrison Dudziak and netting two penalties courtesy of Max Dowman, Arsenal were vulnerable defensively as they fell to their third consecutive defeat of the campaign.
Arsenal are now in 30th place in the table and will have to perform a significant feat if they are to make it through.
First year scholar Josiah King made his debut for the U19s at right-back, while Osman Kamara and Will Sweet started as overage players.
Louis Zecevic John was named on the bench after recovering from injury.
Louie Copley was missing due to suspension.
Porter
King-Salmon-Sweet-Washington
Ibrahim
Dowman-Dudziak
Bailey Joseph-Harriman Annous-Kamara
Subs: Hamill (for Dudziak, 55), Ogunnaike (for Washington, 55), Zecevic John (for Kamara, 65), Agustien (for Sweet, 65), O’Neill (for King, 82. Not used: Ranson, Clarke, Julienne, Thompson,
It was a fast start from Arsenal as they took the lead with just three minutes gone with Dudziak finishing well after good work from Brando Bailey-Joseph.
Dowman then had a penalty claim turned down before Andre Harriman-Annous played in Kamara, whose effort was saved.
The lively Kamara then had an attempt cleared off the line before King and Marli Salmon had to make important defensive interventions at the other end.
Atletico, though, managed to equalise with Sergio Vinatea scoring.
Ife Ibrahim had a shot saved as Arsenal looked to respond and then Dowman shot just over.
Arsenal were then awarded a penalty and Dowman stepped up confidently to dispatch it and maintain his run of scoring in each of his academy appearances this season.
Harriman-Annous had an effort tipped over the crossbar, with Arsenal going into the break in the ascendancy.
Arsenal had some good moments in the first half but Atletico seemed determined to make an impact in the second period.
Jack Porter made a save before Ibrahim was denied at the other end.
Arsenal, coached by David Horseman for the first time in this competition, then made a change with Callan Hamill replacing Duxiak.
Atletico were given a penalty with Salmon receiving a yellow card and Sergio Esteban equalised for the visitors.
Hamill shot over and then Ruben Gomez put Atletico in front.
A triple substitution followed for Arsenal with Josh Ogunnaike, Demiane Agustien and Zecevic John all coming on.
Dowman set up Harriman-Annous, who came close to scoring with Ceadach O’Neill then replacing King in another change.
O’Neill made an instant impact as he won a penalty, with Dowman taking it and scoring again.
Arsenal had barely finished celebrating when Atletico restored their lead as Jesus Barrios scored.
It was a heartbreaking moment for Arsenal, who can never seem to get it right in this competition.
Salmon headed wide and there were seven minutes of added time but amid all the chaos Arsenal were ultimately beaten again.
There were some encouraging signs especially in the first half – Dowman and Salmon are excellent talents and Harriman-Annous had some bright moments.
Arsenal remain vulnerable defensively, however, and often find it difficult to cope with the unique challenges that the Youth League conjures up in terms of physicality and different tactics.
There are just three games remaining in the league phase but there is a concerning feeling that Arsenal could be set to suffer yet another early exit from this competition.
