Match report

Exeter City 4-3 Arsenal U21: Thrilling EFL Trophy Match

Exeter City
Exeter City
4–3
FT
Arsenal U21
Arsenal U21
Oct 28, 2025

Exeter City stunned Arsenal U21 with a thrilling 4-3 victory in the EFL Trophy. Goals from J. Magennis and J. Aitchison were crucial as Exeter City held off a fierce Arsenal comeback, ending with a memorable win.

Key Facts

  • • Exeter City 4-3 Arsenal U21 (EFL Trophy)
  • • C. Sagoe Jr scored for Arsenal U21 at 16 minutes
  • • J. Magennis (Exeter City) scored at 50 and 76 minutes
  • • H. Dudziak (Arsenal U21) scored at 54 minutes
  • • J. Aitchison (Exeter City) scored at 64 minutes
  • • O. Kamara (Arsenal U21) scored at 74 minutes
  • • J. Wareham (Exeter City) scored at 87 minutes

Lineups

Exeter City

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 23 J. Bycroft (G)
  • 26 P. Sweeney (D)
  • 16 S. Swinkels (D)
  • 20 L. Woodhouse (D)
  • 33 T. Dean (M)
  • 8 E. Francis (M)
  • 34 L. Oakes (M)
  • 14 I. Niskanen (M)
  • 10 J. Aitchison (F)
  • 37 K. Wilson (F)
  • 27 J. Magennis (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 J. Whitworth
  • 4 E. Turns
  • 21 D. Andrew
  • 45 C. Cummins
  • 29 K. McDonald
  • 42 G. Birch
  • 9 J. Wareham

Arsenal U21

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 35 T. Setford (G)
  • 48 J. Nichols (D)
  • 37 B. Clarke (D)
  • 54 W. Lannin-Sweet (D)
  • 55 M. Washington
  • 72 I. Ibrahim
  • 39 H. Dudziak
  • 45 O. Kamara (M)
  • 58 D. Agustien (M)
  • 53 C. Sagoe Jr (M)
  • 76 C. O'Neill

Substitutes

  • 79 K. Ranson
  • 83 C. Hamill
  • 75 J. Ogunnaike
  • 73 T. Julienne
  • 86 T. Murisa
  • 57 A. Stevens
  • 40 S. Ferdinand

Timeline

  1. Arsenal U21
    16' Arsenal U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Sagoe Jr · Assist: C. O'Neill
  2. Exeter City
    50' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Magennis
  3. Arsenal U21
    54' Arsenal U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    H. Dudziak
  4. Exeter City
    55' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Sil Swinkels · On: Ed Turns
  5. Exeter City
    55' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: I. Niskanen · On: D. Andrew
  6. Exeter City
    64' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Aitchison · Assist: E. Francis
  7. Exeter City
    71' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Dean · On: K. McDonald
  8. Exeter City
    71' Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Aitchison · On: G. Birch
  9. Exeter City
    71' Exeter City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: K. Wilson · On: J. Wareham
  10. Arsenal U21
    71' Arsenal U21 subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Washington · On: J. Ogunnaike
  11. Arsenal U21
    72' Arsenal U21 subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Nichols · On: C. Hamill
  12. Arsenal U21
    74' Arsenal U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Kamara · Assist: C. Sagoe Jr
  13. Exeter City
    76' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Magennis
  14. Arsenal U21
    77' Arsenal U21 subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Ibrahim · On: T. Murisa
  15. Arsenal U21
    84' Arsenal U21 subst · Substitution 4
    Off: O. Kamara · On: S. Ferdinand
  16. Exeter City
    87' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Wareham · Assist: L. Woodhouse

Match Stats

Stat Exeter City Arsenal U21
Fouls 10 9
Pass Accuracy 80% 77%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 19 13
Corners 7 7
Total Passes 466 352
Yellow Cards — —
Blocked Shots 4 4
Shots on Target 8 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 5
Possession 57% 43%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 371 270
Shots Inside Box 14 9
Saves 1 4
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ J. Magennis's brace (50th and 76th minutes) turned the momentum in favor of Exeter City, reversing Arsenal U21's early lead.
  • ▸ Arsenal U21's late goal by O. Kamara at 74 minutes ignited a comeback attempt, but Exeter City secured the victory with J. Wareham's goal at 87 minutes.