ARSENAL U21 are through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy after thumping Chelsea at the Emirates.
James Olayinka gave the Gunners an early lead before Xavier Mbuyamba saw red for the visitors.
Ten-man Chelsea fought back to draw things level through Jayden Wareham, but Mika Bierith, Omari Hutchinson and Marcelo Flores netted to see Arsenal run away with the tie.
- Final score: Arsenal U21 4-1 Chelsea U21
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Full Time – Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
That’s all from me at the Emirates Stadium folks, as the Young Gunners book their place in the EFL Trophy semi-finals for the first time.
James Olayinka got them off to the perfect start in the first-half, before unfortunately having to be stretchered off just a few minutes later.
Xavier Mbuyamba then made Chelsea’s task much harder later in the first-half, when he was sent off for hauling down Mika Biereth as last man.
The Blues did make things interesting when Jayden Wareham equalised against the run of play.
But after Biereth put the Gunners back into the lead it was never in doubt – with Omari Hutchinson and Marcelo Flores strikes adding gloss to the result.
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Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Full Time – Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
And that’s that from Emirates Stadium as the Gunners book their place in the semi-finals!
Goals by James Olayinka, Mika Biereth, Omari Hutchinson get the job done for the home side.
Xavier Mbuyamba’s red card made things difficult for the Blues – although Jayden Wareham’s first-half equaliser did momentarily make things interesting.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
90+3. George Nunn misses a sitter!
Joe Haigh produced an excellent run and cross down the right, only for sub Nunn to volley over the bar.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
90+1. Joel Ideho comes inside onto his right foot…
But blasts his shot into Row Z!
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
90. We are into three minutes of added time here.
Chelsea will just want this to end now.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
89. Arsenal are still chasing another here in the closing stages.
They’ve been very impressive tonight.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
88. As if Omari Hutchinson’s flip wasn’t enough…
Marcelo Flores produced another!
Credit: Rex Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
86. Baker is nearly caught out by the lively Flores!
But Chelsea just about mop up the danger.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
85. Khayon Edwards is denied by a brilliant stop by Sharman-Lowe!
This could have been any number in the second-half.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea – Yellow Card
84. George Bunn is shown a yellow card for a late challenge.
The crowd weren’t happy with that one.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea – Substitutions
82. Ryan Alebiosu is replaced for Arsenal by Joel Ideho.
While Joel Lopez is replaced by Khayon Edwards.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
81. Flores has been quite brilliant here.
He draws another gasp from the crowd with a brilliant piece of footwork.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
79. Wow! What a goal line clearance that is!
It looked for all the world that Arsenal simply had to score, when Flores skipped around the goalkeeper.
But it is incredibly headed off the line!
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
78. Marcelo Flores shows off some gorgeous footwork before coming within a whisker of playing in Biereth.
This has been an impressive cameo from the substitute.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
77. Hughes crosses over everybody for an Arsenal goal kick.
It’s just been one of those days for a normally very impressive Chelsea side.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea – Substitutions
75. Fiabema and Hughes coming on for Gilchrist and Vale.
These two will have a difficult job making an impact for ten-man Chelsea.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
74. Chelsea are readying a further two changes…
But meanwhile Arsenal have a corner.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
74. Chelsea have missed an absolute sitter!
A cross fell invitingly onto the head of Joe Haigh and he just had to score!
But his diving header flies into the side netting.
Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
71. Here’s Hutchinson’s celebration for you!
This kid seems to have the lot.
Credit: Getty Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea
70. The game has hit an understandable lull here.
Both teams seemingly know their fate.
Goal – Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea!
67. It’s getting ugly for the Blues now!
Substitute Marcelo Flores sweeps home with what could well be his first touch!
Barring a miracle now the Gunners are heading through the semi-finals.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea
66. The Gunners also made two changes in the aftermath of the third goal.
Reuell Walters and Marcelo Flores replaced Ryan Alebiosu and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea – yellow card
65. Lewis Baker is booked for a rash challenge.
You can understand the 26-year-old’s frustration.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea – substititions
64. Chelsea made two changes in the aftermath of the goal, with Soonsup-Bell and Wareham replaced by Nunn and Webester.
They’ll have their work cut out turning this one around.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea
62. Just as he’s been threatening to do all night, Hutchinson scores!
The talented teen comes onto his left foot before burying a low effort beyond Sharman-Lowe from the edge of the box.
He then wows the crowd with a superb backflip!
Arsenal fans will be very excited by this prospect on tonight’s evidence.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
