Arsenal under-21s suffer brutal EFL Trophy exit after 3-0 defeat to League Two side

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Arsenal under-21s were handed a heavy defeat at the hands of League Two side Colchester United, which means they have now been eliminated from the EFL Trophy.

The EFL Trophy encompasses teams from EFL League One and Two, as well as under-21 sides from Premier League and Championship clubs.

It is decided with a group stage before knockout rounds culminating with a final at Wembley Stadium in March, and Arsenal had entered their under-21s into the competition.

Mehmet Ali’s side headed into their third group game with a chance of reaching the knockouts, but the Arsenal Academy side have now been eliminated from the competition.

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Arsenal eliminated from EFL Trophy after 3-0 defeat to Colchester United

Arsenal recorded a victory over Leyton Orient in their first game, before a 2-2 draw with MK Dons gave them a good opportunity to qualify for the knockout rounds.

However, Ali’s side faced a trip to League Two side Colchester United, knowing that a win would see them through to the next round.

Arsenal were without Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but still named a strong side against Colchester’s senior team:

Arsenal under-21 XI vs Colchester United: Okonkwo, Nichols, Monlouis, Heaven, Oulad M’hand, Kabia, Gower, Quesada Thorn, Oulad M’Hand, Butler Oyedeji, Edwards

However, they were handed a 3-0 defeat, meaning they have now exited the competition.

How Arsenal under-21s played vs Colchester United

Arsenal were well beaten by Colchester United, who took the lead through Tom Hopper in the 16th minute.

Harry Anderson doubled the lead before half time, before Mandela Egbo made it 3-0 and put the game out of sight for Arsenal.

Former Hale End goalkeeper Tom Smith was in goal for the hosts, but Arsenal’s talented youngsters were no match for senior opposition, and the result means they finished third in their group, and missed out on qualification for the knockout rounds.

As per Gazette News, there were 1,120 Arsenal fans in attendance at the JobServe Community Stadium to see the under-21s fall to the defeat, and they will now focus on their league campaign instead.

It was a difficult night for Arsenal’s talented youngsters, but given that they were facing senior opposition, they were not expected to go too far in the competition.