Our under-18s secured a thrilling win in the Premier League Cup, coming from two goals down to defeat Birmingham City 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Despite an early setback with goals from Alezandro Da Silva and Yusuf Ahmed, a superb second-half display, featuring a brace from Max Dowman and a strike from Alex Marciniak, saw us take all three points.
What Happened
Birmingham started brightly, taking the lead when Da Silva pounced on a defensive error to slot home. The hosts doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, with Ahmed calmly converting after being fouled in the area.
Just before half-time, we pulled one back. Dowman drove into the box and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner, giving us hope heading into the break.
We maintained our momentum in the second half, and when Louis Zecevic John was brought down in the penalty area, we had a golden chance to equalise. However, Dowman’s penalty was well saved by the Birmingham keeper.
The home side’s fortunes took a turn when Will Burrell received his second yellow card, reducing them to ten men. We capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Marciniak producing a moment of brilliance. After the keeper punched clear, Marciniak expertly lobbed the ball from outside the box to level the score.
As we pressed for a winner, the decisive moment arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Dowman, receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, coolly slotted it into the bottom corner to complete the comeback in dramatic fashion.
What It Means
This win puts us at the top of our group with six points from two games, giving us a strong start in the Premier League Cup.
What’s Next
Following the international break, we return to league action with a home fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday, October 19.
Kick-off at the Sobha Realty Training Centre is scheduled for 12pm (UK time).
Team News
Arsenal XI: Ranson, Clarke, Onyekachukwu, Sweet, Ismail, Murisa (Marciniak, 69) Harper (Copley, 61) Dowman, O'Neill, Bailey-Joseph, Zecevic John (Frohock, 61)
Subs not used: Talbot, Ogunnaike
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