Published: 7 April, 2016
by CHARLIE CORBETT

ARSENAL youth manager Steve Gatting said it was “a tough result to take” after he saw his Under-18s side knocked out of the FA Cup on Monday at the Emirates Stadium. 

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg against Man City, the Young Guns ended up 2-2 on the night, condemning them to a 4-3 defeat on aggregate. 

“I thought the first half was excellent,” said Gatting after the game. “It was a bitter pill to swallow coming in a half-time 2-1 down when City had hardly got into our half. 

“Saying that, it could have been down to poor defending.  Over the two games there were points when we were the better side by far. In both games we went goals up and couldn’t hold on to it, which is disappointing.” 

Arsenal got off to the perfect start on Monday after six minutes when Chris Willock raced forward and bent in a shot round keeper Daniel Grimshaw and into the bottom corner to give his side the lead. 

The Gunners’ joy was short-lived as 11 minutes later confusion in the box led to Brahim Diaz heading City level. Things went from bad to worse in the 32nd minute when Rodney Kongolo struck from close range to give the visitors a half-time lead. 

Arsenal introduced Donyell Malen just after the hour and two minutes later the striker scored a fine header to make it 2-2. But any hopes of turning the result around were ended 15 minutes from time when Marc Bola was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kongolo.