Post-Match Report

Arsenal 2-2 Villarreal: How it happened

Zech Medley

Villarreal Yth -

Emirates Stadium
Premier League International Cup
Premier League International Cup
  Arsenal U23
      
                  John-Jules (8)
                   Gilmour (19 pen)
            
   crest
Arsenal U23
John-Jules (8)
Gilmour (19 pen)
2 2
  Villarreal Yth
      
              Dalmau Vaquer (20)
               Medley (40 og)
          
   crest
Villarreal Yth
Dalmau Vaquer (20) Medley (40 og)

WHAT HAPPENED

Zech Medley scored the winning penalty in the shootout as our under-23s reached the final of the Premier League International Cup with a dramatic win against Villarreal.

We came into this clash at Emirates Stadium in fine form, having already beaten the likes of last year’s winners, Porto, and Bayern Munich en route to the semi-final.

We made a dream start when Tyreece John-Jules, who has starred during our run to the final four in the FA Youth Cup, gave us the lead inside the first 10 minutes.

It came after a slick passing move that saw Josh Dasilva release Xavier Amaechi and, after his cross was cleared off the line following a scramble, John-Jules pounced on the loose ball and found the top corner.

Things got even better for Steve Getting’s men when the lively Amaechi slipped Charlie Gilmour in with a neat pass into the area, and the midfielder was tripped by Sergio Lozano Lluch. Gilmour stepped up himself and made no mistake from the spot.

But Villarreal responded within 60 seconds when Adrian Dalmau Vaquer fired in for the visitors, and drew level just before the interval through a Medley own goal.

After all the drama of the first half, there were no further goals throughout the second period - nor extra time, so the game went to penalties.

After six spot kicks, the two teams were all square having all converted of their penalties before Deyan Iliev saved from Ruben Mesa Visiga.

Joe Willock kept his nerve with the next to put up 4-3 up, and while Villarreal converted their fifth and final penalty, Medley slotted in the winner to send us to the final.

WHAT IT MEANS

We will face the winner of the other semi-final, which will see Newcastle take on Porto - who we beat in the group stage - on Thursday.

See Full List

Fixtures & Results

Premier League
Ticket Info