Newport County return to action this evening as they welcome Arsenal’s U21s to Rodney Parade in their opening fixture of the Vertu Trophy.
The Exiles head into this match following a 3-1 home defeat to league leaders Gillingham. With Hale End being one of England’s most sought-after academies, the Exiles have an opportunity to take on some of the countries most talented rising stars.
Opposition Focus
This season the Gunners boast a record of two wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening four league fixtures; they currently sit 11th in the Premier League 2 table. Max Porter’s side currently boast an average record in both attacking and defensive departments, scoring eight goals and conceding a respectable seven.
Arsenal’s Hale End academy has long been one of the most respected in English football, producing a line of outstanding talents who have gone on to shine at the highest level. Club legends such as Tony Adams and Michael Thomas came through the system, while Ashley Cole and Ray Parlour became key figures in title-winning sides. More recently, the academy has given rise to stars like Jack Wilshere, Emile Smith Rowe and, most notably, Bukayo Saka, who has become both an Arsenal talisman and an England regular. With such a rich track record of developing players capable of making the leap to senior level, this evening’s meeting offers Newport fans the chance to get a glimpse of the next generation looking to follow in those footsteps.
Head-to-Head
Newport County and Arsenal U21s have faced each other just once before, in October 2021 in the EFL Trophy at Rodney Parade—a thrilling contest that ended 4-3 to the young Gunners thanks to two late goals.
The Exiles struck first when Jordan Greenidge showed great strength and composure, turning his marker before slotting low into the bottom corner. Arsenal hit back through Omari Hutchinson—now a £40 million signing for Nottingham Forest—who produced a dazzling piece of footwork before curling a fine strike past Nick Townsend.
Moments later, the visitors went ahead as Salah Oulad M’Hand punished Newport from a free-kick, beating Townsend from distance. But the home side responded well. Timmy Abraham capitalised on a defensive mistake to bring County level, before Alex Fisher volleyed them into a 3-2 lead shortly after.
Arsenal weren’t finished. Some slick passing carved open the Newport defence and James Olayinka calmly slotted home from the edge of the box to equalise. Then, in the dying stages, Khayon Edwards broke down the flank and cut the ball back for Charles Sagoe Jr, who guided a first-time finish into the net to snatch victory for the Hale End graduates.
