Report – Bailey-Joseph scores as Arsenal U19s start Youth League campaign with defeat to Athletic Bilbao

UEFA Youth League

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Manex Lozano 12, 85, Gift 90 (pen.) Arsenal 1 (Bailey-Joseph 46)

Arsenal U19s saw their UEFA Youth League campaign get off to a frustrating start with a 3-1 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao.

The young Gunners struggled early in the first half, with Manex Lozano giving the hosts the lead.

However, Arsenal responded through 16-year-old Brando Bailey-Joseph, who found the net early in the second half.

Arsenal had momentum at that stage but the likes of Josh Nichols and Bailey-Joseph had to be withdrawn after struggling with cramp.

Goalkeeper Jack Porter had been impressive throughout the game but his effort was closed down by Lozano late on, with Athletic taking the lead.

A penalty from Elijah Gift in the closing stages made sure of Athletic’s victory and compounded Arsenal’s misery despite a spirited display.

Ife Ibrahim started in midfield, while Louie Copley captained the team.

Schoolboy winger Kyran Thompson was named amongst the substitutes along with first year scholars Teshaun Murisa, Callan Hamill and Maalik Hashi.

Porter

Nichols-Salmon-Clarke-Washington

Ibrahim

Copley-Dudziak

O’Neill-Harriman Annous-Bailey Joseph

Subs: Murisa (for Dudziak, 64), Hamill (for Salmon, 64), Hashi (for Bailey-Joseph, 68), Julienne (for Nichols, 80), Agustien (for Copley, 81). Not used: Talbot, Onyekachukwu, Ogunnaike, Thompson.

Porter was called into action in the early stages as the ball struck him in the face.

In the 12th minute Athletic took the lead, with Arsenal looking to clear the danger only for Lozano to score.

The hosts continued to dominate, with Selton Sanchez shooting over before Porter saved from Igor Oyana.

Arsenal gradually started to make an impact, with Bailey-Joseph doing well to find Andre Harriman-Annous, whose effort was saved. Copley’s follow-up attempt was then thwarted.

Porter made further impressive stops, with Athletic going into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Arsenal seemed determined to start the second half quickly and they did just that as Ceadach O’Neill immediately crossed for Bailey-Joseph, who finished well.

Now playing with much confidence, Bailey-Joseph then shot over from another opening.

Copley shot wide, with Murisa and Hamill then coming on for their Youth League debuts in place of Harrison Dudziak and Marli Salmon, who were making their first appearances after injury.

Porter made a save to deny Gift, with Arsenal then forced into another change as Bailey-Joseph, who had been struggling with cramp, was replaced by another debutant at this level in Hashi.

Manex Lozano shot wide for Athletic, with cramp proving a problem for Arsenal again when Nichols had to go off as Theo Julienne replaced him. Agustien also came on for Copley.

It seemed as if Arsenal would take at least a point from proceedings but then disaster struck with Porter’s clearance being closed down by Lozano.

Porter had made a series of excellent stops throughout the game but unfortunately ended up conceding at a crucial moment.

During seven added minutes there was more frustration to come as Julienne conceded a penalty and Gift slotted the spot-kick past Porter.

O’Neill saw a free-kick deflected over but this was yet another Youth League defeat for Arsenal.

The overall performance wasn’t especially discouraging, with Arsenal growing into the game and impressing in the early stages of the second half.

However, it was concerning how many players struggled with cramp, which is something which will need to be addressed ahead of further games in this competition.

There were still some positives to take from the game with many first years, including the lively Bailey-Joseph, gaining valuable experience in this competition.

Arsenal have work to do, though, if their quest to enjoy a long run in this competition is going to come to fruition.