Preview | Swansea City U21s v Arsenal U21s
Swansea City Under-21s continue their Premier League Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon (2pm kick-off), as they welcome Arsenal to Landore Training Ground.
The Swans narrowly lost in the reverse fixture back in August at Boreham Wood. Striker Josh Thomas opening the scoring after 12 minutes, slotting the ball into the back of net after a mistake at the back from the Gunners.
Though Arsenal would equalise just moments later through Joel Ideho and eventually, the east London outfit went on to take the opening game as Cedric Soares got the winning goal.
The young Swans produced an entertaining comeback in their second Group G fixture against Burnley. The home side trailed by two goals at the break, with the Clarets seemingly looking on course for three points.
But a magnificent display after the break saw Ben Lloyd grab a brace, while Lincoln McFayden, Cameron Congreve and Joe Thomas were also on the scoresheet.
Arsenal sit top of the group standings with seven points, with Swansea City coming in second. The young Gunners won their two opening games of their Cup campaign, drawing to Stoke City last time out.
Swansea City Under-21s coach Anthony Wright previews the match ahead:
"We want to do well in this competition, and we want to get to the knockout stages, that's the objective we have set as a group collectively, and the last result improves our chances of doing so.
"On Saturday, hopefully we repeat the momentum from the second-half display against Burnley. Arsenal are going to be a very strong outfit.
"We need that intensity and work rate to get on the ball and try to upset them as much as possible in possession."
Previous meeting - October 26, 2018
Swansea City 1 Arsenal 1
Swansea City Under-23s claimed a point in Premier League 2 following a 1-1 draw with high-flying Arsenal the last time the sides met at Landore.
Brandon Cooper put the young Swans in front with his 41st-minute header, but the visitors claimed a share of the spoils later on through Charlie Gilmour’s deflected strike.
In a first half of few chances, the Swans created the better opportunities, with Botti Biabi and Yan Dhanda having efforts saved by goalkeeper Deyan Iliev, while Jordon Garrick shot just wide of the far post.
And the hosts made the breakthrough four minutes before half-time, as Cooper’s header from Tyler Reid’s cross was too hot for Iliev to handle.
Arsenal responded well after the break with Trae Coyle being denied by Steven Benda, while Eddie Nketiah and Gilmour were narrowly off target.
Swansea City Under-23s: Steven Benda, Tyler Reid, Aaron Lewis, Adnan Maric (capt), Cian Harries, Brandon Cooper, Jordon Garrick, Simon Paulet (Kees de Boer, 82), Botti Biabi, Yan Dhanda, Liam Cullen.
Unused subs: Gregor Zabret, Ollie Cooper, Matthew Blake, Joe Lewis.
