Arsenal under-19s have finished on top of group F in the UEFA Youth League despite falling to a tight 2-1 defeat to Napoli on Wednesday afternoon at Stadium Bisceglia of Aversa in Naples.
Steve Gatting's side needed a win or a draw to ensure safe passage to the knockout phase, but after Borussia Dortmund lost 3-0 in Marseille they were certain to go through as the group's top seed.
Napoli thought they had opened the scoring on 24 minutes when Gennaro Tutino found the back of the net, but Asenal got a reprieve from the assistant referee's flag for offside.
Wasn't me: Gunners defender Stefan O'Connor stands his ground as Gerado Rudino hits it in Naples
On 34 minutes Gerardo Rubino made his chance count, heading home strongly from a corner to make it 1-0.
Stefan O'Connor had a golden chance on 59 minutes to level things for Arsenal after a sublime backheel from Kris Olsson put him on goal, but the defender shot wide.
Moments later it was Chuba Akpom who got the equaliser, slotting from six yards courtesy of a low cross from Jon Toral.
Arsenal went close again moments later and well and truly had the ascendency, but Napoli found the net against the run of play when Tutino took this chance to volley home from eight yards.
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