Arsenal U21s suffered another defeat in pre-season, losing 2-0 to National League South side Chelmsford City at the Melbourne Stadium.
The home side opened the scoring inside three minutes as full-back Harry Barbrook picked out Taylor Clark, who put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jack Porter.
Chelmsford continued to control the game with Porter being called to action, saving the efforts of Kai Corbett and Josh Castiglione.
The young Gunners then began to see more of the ball, with forward Charles Sagoe-Jnr trying to ignite the attack. However, they were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
Interim coach Max Porter made a tactical switch, as Ceadach O’Neill exchanged wings with Sagoe-Jnr. The switch almost paid off when the latter drifted past his marker before firing his shot over the bar.
A brilliant piece of defending from centre-back Brayden Clarke denied Chelmsford from doubling their advantage before halftime. Porter also saved the follow-up attempt.
Arsenal continued to grow into the game after the interval. Ife Ibrahim threaded a pass to Sagoe-Jnr in dangerous areas, but the forward could not impact the scoreline.
Lucas Nygaard, who replaced Porter, made a good save to deny Josh Hedges from extending the home side’s advantage, tipping the midfielder’s shot over the upright.
In the 56th minute, Demiane Agustien’s effort bounced off the post before the summer signing came close to scoring again after the hour mark, firing a shot just whiskers away from the post.
Chelmsford sealed the victory on 70 minutes, as Jack Barham pounced on Theo Julienne’s short back pass to Nygaard to put the ball home.
The young Gunners will face Monaco II at AS Monaco Performance Centre on August 9 in their final pre-season fixture.
