Under-21 Arsenal Team Falls to MK Dons in Bristol Street Motors Trophy Penalty Shootout

Arsenal‘s under-21 team faced off against MK Dons in their second group game of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday night, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The final outcome was decided by a penalty shootout, which MK Dons won 3-1.

The match began with Ellis Harrison giving the hosts an early lead with a header from a Dean Lewington corner. The Arsenal side quickly responded within four minutes when Andre Harriman-Annous capitalized on a parried shot from Nathan Butler-Oyedeji to level the score at 1-1. MK Dons regained their lead soon after as Harrison struck again, curling a shot past Arsenal’s keeper, Lucas Martin Nygaard.

Before the end of the first half, Arsenal’s Nathan Butler-Oyedeji equalized again, with Josh Robinson aiding in the setup to bring the score to 2-2. The second half saw limited scoring opportunities, with both teams working hard to break the deadlock. Arsenal’s Maldini Kacurri and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand had close chances, but neither could find the back of the net.

A potential game-changer occurred when MK Dons’ Callum Tripp was injured late in the game, reducing the team to ten men, but Arsenal couldn’t capitalize on the numerical advantage. As the full-time whistle blew, the game proceeded to penalties.

In the ensuing shootout, Arsenal faltered with misses from Michal Rosiak, Oulad M’Hand, and Harrison Dudziak. MK Dons secured their victory with successful penalties from Lewington, Tom Carroll, and Tommy Leigh, overshadowing a single successful penalty by Kacurri for Arsenal.

This result leaves Arsenal gearing up for their next Premier League 2 fixture against Blackburn Rovers, scheduled for October 28, while their concluding group stage match in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against Colchester United looms on November 12.

The MK Dons lineup included Craig MacGillivray, Joe Pritchard, and Dean Lewington among others, operating under coach Mike Williamson. Arsenal, led by Mehmet Ali, fielded players such as Martin Nygaard, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, and Andre Harriman-Annous.