10-man Arsenal u19s suffer defeat to Olympiacos | OneFootball

The Arsenal u19s put in a spirited ten-man performance but ultimately lost to Olympiacos on Wednesday, compounding a poor start to the UEFA Youth League campaign.

Photo via Arsenal.com

After suffering a late defeat away to Athletic Club in their opening UEFA Youth League game, the Arsenal u19s had the chance to respond at home to Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Yet any hopes of doing so were dealt a major early blow as Louie Copley was shown a straight red card for a foul on Argyrios Liatsikouras in the 14th minute.

Though the challenge wasn’t malicious, with Copley simply chasing his own loose touch, he ended up making significant contact halfway up the Olympiacos player’s leg. It was always going to be a red card, and Arsenal had no choice but to move on and play the rest of the game with 10 men.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal’s job got even more difficult six minutes later, as Brayden Clarke scuffed a pass and allowed Ethan Cortes in on goal to score the opener for Olympiacos.

Before the half was over, it was 2-0, with Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter pushing a cross out to Christos Filis to convert.

Yet rather than falling apart, Arsenal’s 10 men rallied and put the opposition under a lot of pressure in the second half. Andre Harriman-Annous was involved in a couple of opportunities that just needed a touch in front of goal, but the contact never arrived.

Photo via Le African Gooner on Twitter

Porter did have to make one particularly excellent save in the second period, but it was Arsenal who got on the scoresheet next, with Brando Bailey-Joseph making a powerful run before sliding in Josh Ogunnaike to score for 2-1 in the 83rd minute.

Demiane Agustien then played a clever pass to get Ogunnaike in again just before full time, but this time the goalkeeper smothered the chance and ensured Olympiacos left with three points.

Though Arsenal will be encouraged by their fight in difficult circumstances, the team ultimately remain winless. It’s not going to get any easier either, with a game against Atletico Madrid up next on October 21st.

Arsenal u19 lineup vs Olympiacos

Porter, Hamill, Clarke, Salmon, Washington, Ibrahim, Copley, Dudziak, Harriman-Annous, Bailey-Joseph, Thompson

Substitutes

Onyekachukwu (for Hamill, 46), Ogunnaike (for Washington, 75), Agustien (for Thompson, 85), Julienne (for Dudziak, 90+2), Talbot, Hashi, Murisa