Overview
- City raced 4-0 ahead by the 41st minute through Kaiden Braithwaite, Tyrone Samba’s brace and Christian Dunbar-McDonald before Arsenal replied late.
- Xavier Parker struck in stoppage time to restore a three-goal cushion after Ceadach O’Neill’s penalty and Brando Bailey-Joseph’s 85th-minute finish.
- Bailey-Joseph was Arsenal’s brightest threat, repeatedly stretching City’s defense and offering the visitors’ main attacking outlet.
- City progress to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the next round, while Arsenal shift focus to their U18 Premier League meeting with Southampton.
- Arsenal’s exit continues a recent pattern of Youth Cup defeats to elite academies and came with absences for Max Dowman, Josiah King and Marli Salmon.