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Pre-season friendly

Bishop’s Stortford 3 (Castle 22, Charles 55, Leggat 80) Arsenal XI 1 (Dudziak 89)

Harrison Dudziak scored late on as Arsenal U21s suffered their third defeat in succession in pre-season with a 3-1 loss away to Bishop’s Stortford tonight.

Arsenal were without Charlie Patino, with the rest of the squad remaining the same from the defeat to Rapid Vienna.

Brian Okonkwo kept his place in goal, but all of the outfield players were rotated, with Josh Robinson captaining the side, while Romari Forde started up front. Seb Ferdinand also started as he continued his return from injury.

Six of the players named in the starting lineup – Brayden Clarke, Will Sweet, Cam’ron Ismail, Zac Shuaib, Dan Casey and Louie Copley – are still eligible to play at U18 level this season.

Okonkwo

Robinson-Clarke-Sweet-C. Ismail

Shuaib

Copley-Casey

Ferdinand-Forde-Kamara

Subs: Butler-Oyedeji (for Ferdinand, 46), Edwards (for Forde, 46), Porter (for Okonkwo, 62), Kacurri (for Sweet, 62), Monlouis (for Shuaib, 62), Julienne (for Robinson, 46), Quesada-Thorn (for C. Ismail, 62), Dudziak (for Copley, 62), I. Oulad M’Hand (for Casey, 62), Kabia (for Kamara, 62). Not used: Ranson, Ibrahim.

Bishop’s Stortford took the lead midway through the first half, with Charlie Castle scoring after the ball fell to him following a deflected free-kick.

Arsenal aimed to respond, with Zac Shuaib coming close to scoring with an effort that went just wide.

There was a double change at the start of the second half, with Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Khayon Edwards coming on for Ferdinand and Forde.

Bishop’s Stortford doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half, with Ryan Charles scoring.

Arsenal then made a host of alterations just after the hour mark as Jack Porter, Theo Julienne, Maldini Kacurri, Elian Quesada-Thorn, Ismeal Kabia, Ismail Oulad M’Hand and Dudziak all entered the fray.

There was further disappointment to come for Arsenal, with substitute Callum Leggatt getting a third goal for Bishop’s Stortford.

However, there was a positive to take from the night’s work, with Kabia setting up Dudziak, who got a goal back late on with his first strike for the U21s.

A penalty shootout had been scheduled to take place after the game regardless of the scoreline but it didn’t actually end up happening.

Arsenal U21s will face Lincoln City away on Saturday in their next friendly.

Information via Arsenal