Key Highlights
- Slavia Prague defeated Arsenal Under 19s 5-1 in the UEFA Youth League.
- Ceadach O’Neill scored an own goal for Arsenal, opening the scoring for Slavia.
- Bartosz Szywala and Jakub Kolísek added to the lead before half-time.
- Demiane Agustien almost equalized but missed his shot at goal.
- Arsenal managed to score once through Ceadach O’Neill’s deflected effort.
- Slavia Prague secured their victory with two goals in added time, courtesy of Mubarak Suleiman and Matej Kotrba.
Match Report: Slavia Prague U19 Triumphs Over Arsenal U19 5-1
Slavia Prague secured a resounding victory over Arsenal Under 19s in their UEFA Youth League clash, recording a final score of 5-1. The match unfolded on the backdrop of a challenging season for Arsenal’s youth side as they continue to search for their first points in this year’s competition.
First Half: Slavia Prague Takes Control
The first half saw Slavia Prague assert their dominance early, opening the scoring after just 10 minutes. The goal came from an own goal by Ceadach O’Neill following a corner kick, with Simon Sloncik’s header deflecting into his own net.
Despite Arsenal’s valiant efforts to push forward and level the score, they were thwarted in their attempts. A close encounter saw Osman Kamara nearly equalizing but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from David Kalanin.
Demiane Agustien also tested the Slavia Prague defense with his shot narrowly missing the target.
Slavia Prague doubled their lead before half-time, capitalizing on a long throw that found Bartosz Szywala in prime position to score from close range. Midfielder Mubarak Suleiman further contributed to Arsenal’s woes by firing narrowly wide of the goal, but his pressure paid off as Jakub Kolísek thumped home a powerful strike.
Second Half: Arsenal Struggles Against Counter-Attacks
The second half commenced with Arsenal pushing forward more aggressively. However, their efforts were quickly nullified by Slavia Prague’s counterattacks. A slick move saw Suleiman find Pitak down the right flank, leading to Kolísek’s goal that effectively sealed the game.
Arsenal managed to score once through Ceadach O’Neill’s deflected effort after 59 minutes, reducing the deficit but not altering the course of the match. The home team maintained their dominance and secured a comprehensive victory with two late goals from Mubarak Suleiman and Matej Kotrba in added time.
What It Means for Arsenal’s UEFA Youth League Campaign
This defeat marks Arsenal’s fourth loss in the UEFA Youth League this season. Their next challenge comes against Bayern Munich on November 26, with the under-18s team facing Norwich City a day earlier on November 22.
The result places significant pressure on Arsenal to bounce back and secure their first points in the competition. Slavia Prague’s victory continues their strong performance, having secured four points from three matches so far this season.
For detailed lineups and substitutions:
- Slavia Prague: Kalanin, Boledovic, Sloncik, Beran, Naskos (Frolik 57′), Suleiman, Rajnoha (Kocvara 88′), Kolisek (Palivec 57′), Pitak, Pikolon (Kotrba 88′), Szywala (Pawlik 72′)
- Arsenal: Ranson, Ogunnaike, Hamill, Lannin-Sweet (Julienne 70′), Clarke, Ibrahim, Agustien (Hashi 79′), Copley, Bailey-Joseph (Marciniak 40′), Kamara, O’Neill
- Subs: Talbot, Phillips, Washington, Frohock, Murisa, Tahou, Owusu-Gyasi
This match report provides a comprehensive overview of the game, highlighting key moments and outcomes that will shape Arsenal’s strategy going forward in the UEFA Youth League.
