10-man City suffer FA Youth Cup semi-final heartbreak at Arsenal

Arsenal had taken a seventh minute lead through a Michal Rosiak free kick, awarded after City full back Lakyle Samuel had been shown a straight red card.

However, Ben Wilkinson’s youngsters showed great heart and courage despite that twin setback and carved out a number of fine chances before Justin Oboavwoduo drew us level 18 minutes from time.

That sent the tie into extra time but deep into injury time with a penalty shoot-out looming, Myles Lewis-Skelly evaded City’s back line to head home the decisive goal and send the hosts into the final.

It was cruel on a City side who showed incredible heart and desire to go with their skill and technique but ultimately it’s Arsenal who go through to the final.

What happened

With the showpiece being staged at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium there was an even greater sense of anticipation to an eagerly-awaited encounter.

A crowd of almost 10,000 gathered in north London to watch the latest instalment in the ongoing battle between City and Arsenal - this time at youth level.

But City suffered the worst possible start when we went behind after being reduced to 10 men on just seven minutes.

Lakyle Samuel was shown a straight red after being adjudged to have brought down Omari Benjamin on the edge of the box.

It appeared the harshest of punishments with no obvious intent from the City defender and the players more coming together.

To compound the frustration, City were then further punished from the resulting free kick.

Gunners full back Michal Osiak rifled home a fine 20 yard free-kick which arrowed into the top right corner of the net past a despairing George Murray-Jones in the City goal.

A tough task for our 10 men got almost harder on 14 minutes when Benjamin rose at the back post and sent a header just the wrong side of the City post.

Murray-Jones was then called into action again to deny Michael Sousa before City spurned a golden chance to draw level on 18 minutes.

Oboavwoduo broke free of the Arsenal backline and bore in on goal but could only send his shot wide of the target.

City came agonisingly close again a minute when, after Isaiah Dada-Mascoll’s shot had cannoned off a Gunners defender, Will Dickson drilled a low shot inches wide.

It was Arsenal’s turn to threaten next, Ethan Nwaneri sending a dangerous 20-yard effort narrowly wide of the target after the home side had pumped in another arcing long bal over the City back line.

However, despite operating with a deficit in numbers, it was City driving play in the main and Joel Ndala was the next to threaten a leveller on 39 minutes , the winger’s instinctive first time shot from outside the box just a fraction too high.

Murray-Jones had to be alert again six minutes after the restart to tip over a goal bound Sousa cross come shot.

Then it was Arsenal who threatened with the dangerous Amario Cozier-Duberry evading the City back line and sprinting 40 yards upfield before firing over the target.

With the on-field temperature rising, Arsenal then appealed for another red card after City sub Jacob Wright tangled with Benjamin as he sought to run in on goal. This time though the verdict was only yellow.

Murray-Jones then came to the rescue again on 69 minutes, narrowing the angle before blocking a goal bound effort from Benjamin.

City’s courage and desire though was deservedly rewarded on 72 minutes as we drew level in dramatic fashion through Justin Oboavwoduo.

Jacob Wright powered down the right flank before feeding in an inviting cross. Nico O’Reilly showed great awareness to feed the ball back into the box and Oboavwoduo needed no second invitation to finish from close range.

It made for a thrilling and frantic finale as both sides sought to carve out a winner but ultimately the game went into the drama of extra time.

Though minds and legs were weary it was a titanic, nerve-shredding tussle.

And just as the sides were preparing for the prospect of penalties, Arsenal struck a dramatic and heartbreaking 121st minute winner.

Bradley Ibrahmim dinked in a teasing ball and Myles Lewis-Skelly beat the advancing Murray-Jones and Katongo to head home the decisive goal.

How we lined up

George Murray-Jones was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, skipper Jadel Katongo, Max Alleyne and Tom Galvez.

Isaiah Dada-Mascoll was the holding midfielder with Michael Okeke and Nico O’Reilly also in the engine room.
Joel Ndala, Wil Dickson and Justin Oboavwodou formed our attacking trident

ARSENAL: Cooper, Rosiak, Sousa, Robinson, Walters, Ibrahim ©, Cozier-Duberry, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri (Ferdinand 113), Gower (Oulad M’hand 60), Benjamin (Kamara 81)

Subs: Nichols, Rojas- Fedorushchenko, Brown, Kacrurri

CITY: Murray-Jones, Samuel, Katongo, Alleyne, Galvez, Dada-Mascoll, Okeke (Wright 24), O’Reilly, Ndala (Heskey 118), Dickson (Ogwuru 95), Oboavwodou

Subs: Simpson-Pusey, Grant, Gray, Muir

What it means

City’s journey in the FA Youth Cup comes to an end at the last four stage with the hosts progressing through to the showpiece final.

For the young Blues the focus is now trained on the league with City going for glory in both PL2 and the Under 18 Premier League North.

What’s next

The City youngsters face another huge clash on Saturday when we resume Under-18 Premier League North action away at Middlesbrough, kick-off 11.30am.

The fixture will be available to watch live on both CITY+ and Recast.

It’s a vitally important game with City currently second in the table, lying two points behind leaders Sunderland but with a crucial game in hand.