- Arsenal Under 21s travelled to Reading in the group stage of the EFL Trophy
- First team stars Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson featured for a young Gunners side
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Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson both featured for Arsenal’s Under 21 side in their EFL Trophy tie against Reading, but couldn’t prevent the Gunners going down to a 5-2 defeat.
The two sides faced off in their final group game of the competition, which sees all League One and League Two sides compete, along with 16 category one Under 21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs.
Three Football League sides are drawn with one of the youth teams in a round-robin format which is regionalised, with Arsenal and Reading having already secured qualification for the knockout stages of the southern section ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
The Royals – who are managed by former Southampton boss Ruben Selles – are enduring a dismal campaign and currently sit bottom of League One with just seven points, amid significant financial difficulties that has seen them be deducted a further four points.
Nelson and Vieira – who was sent off for violent conduct in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Burnley at the weekend – lined up in a strong-looking starting line-up for the Gunners for the clash at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with competition rules stating the Under 21 sides are allowed to select two over-age players.
However, Arsenal went 2-0 down early on through goals from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Caylon Vickers, before Vieira pulled one back with a cooly taken penalty.
It was the second spot kick of the season the former Porto man has scored after also netting from 12 yards against Sheffield United last month.
20-year-old Ehibhatiomhan, who came through the Reading youth academy, added a third for his side before Nelson provided a sensational assist for young hotshot striker Khayon Edwards.
Ehibhatiomhan failed to take the chance for a hat-trick as he missed his own spot kick on the hour, before he set up Harvey Knibbs to make it 4-2 to the Royals.
Vieira had the chance to pull another goal back from the penalty spot in what was a hugely dramatic clash, but former Man United youngster Joel Pereira pulled off a fine save.
17-year-old Gunners midfielder Ayden Heaven was then sent off, with Sam Smith making it 5-2 to Reading in injury time.
Arsenal Academy Director Per Mertesacker and assistant boss Albert Stuivenberg were in attendance for the clash in Berkshire as they ran the rule over the next generation of talents.
The hosts ended up topping the group with three wins from three, while Arsenal came second with five points.
During their campaign, they beat Exeter 5-0, while they also drew 2-2 with Swindon – although they won the subsequent penalty shootout for an extra point – in what is a bizarre quirk of the competition when games are level at full-time.
The game caps a tumultuous few days for Vieira but the 23-year-old has shown signs of his undoubted talent on occasions so far this campaign as he battles with Kai Havertz for a place on the left of Arsenal’s midfield three.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
