Our under-21s begin their Premier League 2 play-off campaign on Friday, April 25 against Newcastle United at Meadow Park. Kick-off at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium in Borehamwood is scheduled for 7pm (UK time).
We had been on a six-game unbeaten run heading into our final game of the regular season, winning four of those, but last time out we lost 4-3 away to West Bromwich Albion in an entertaining game. Despite the defeat, we finished the regular season in eighth place, ensuring a home tie in our first play-off match, as we meet the Magpies in the quarter-finals, with the winner facing Liverpool or Manchester United in the semis.
Extra-time and penalties will be used to separate the sides if the scores finish level.
The Opposition
Newcastle finished just one point behind us in the league table; both sides won 10 regular-season games, but we had one more draw. The Magpies were in contention for a top-eight finish after thrashing Reading 7-1 in their penultimate game, but a 4-0 loss to Manchester City saw the Geordies side finish ninth.
We’ve already tasted success against Friday’s opponents this season, winning 4-1 in our Premier League 2 encounter back in February. Seb Ferdinand, Khayon Edwards, Osman Kamara and Salah Oulad M’Hand fired us into a 4-0 lead before Jay Turner-Cooke scored a late consolation.
Since that defeat in north London, the Magpies have turned their form around, winning four straight league matches before their defeat to Manchester City. Ben Parkinson is the visitors’ top scorer this season, with eight goals in just nine starts for his under-21s side, having also made a first-team debut back in November.
How to Follow
Entry to all Premier League 2 matches at Meadow Park is free, so come along and support the team!
Live updates will be available on our academy’s X page, with a full match report published on Arsenal.com after the final whistle.
Stay tuned for post-match interviews with Mehmet Ali and one of our young Gunners, along with highlights of all the key moments from the game.
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