Next Up: Exeter City vs Arsenal U21s – EFL Trophy

For the first time in almost exactly six years, Devon is red following Thursday night’s televised dismantling of that lot. City now enter into a busy period across three competitions, but before the trip to Halifax on Saturday there is the small matter of Arsenal’s youngsters in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night to attend to. With City having lost narrowly to Cardiff in the first group match, a win here is vital if City are to progress to the knockout stages. That said, like most managers Gary Caldwell will be treating this match as an opportunity to give game time to his fringe players and young prospects, so expect starts for the likes of Jack Bycroft, Luca Woodhouse, Liam Oakes and Kieran Wilson. This may be an opportunity too for players returning from injury to get some match fitness, with the likes of Sil Swinkels expected to feature, although others like Jake Doyle-Hayes, Johnly Yfeko and Sonny Cox may not yet be ready to return.

Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Newport saw them field a side with a couple of players who have tasted first team action in the EFL Cup, while Charles Sagoe played against City last season while on loan at Shrewsbury – he was also on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s last visit to the Park in this competition, while Sebastian Ferdinand, who scored two that night, will also expect to feature.

In addition to the three goals from Sagoe and Ferdinand, strikes from Edwards and Henry-Francis completed a 5-0 rout in the only previous fixture between the sides to add to City’s woes in this competition in 23/24 following the 0-9 humiliation at the hands of Reading.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Sam Mulhall
Assistant Referees: Oliver Taylor and Daniel Flynn
Fourth Official: James Hooper

Sam Mulhall took charge of the EFL Trophy game at home to Birmingham last December which City lost 2-1.

The game will be available to watch in the UK on Sky Sports+.