In a thrilling encounter at St James Park, Exeter City edged out Arsenal U21 in a seven-goal thriller, winning 4-3 in the EFL Trophy match on October 28, 2025. The match was a showcase of resilience and firepower, with the Grecians bouncing back from their rocky recent form to secure a vital victory.
The contest ignited early when Charles Sagoe Jr. put Arsenal U21 ahead in the 16th minute, making it seem as though the youthful Gunners would run rampant. However, the tide began to turn in the second half. Josh Magennis leveled the score for Exeter just five minutes after the break, a goal that invigorated the home side and sent their faithful into a frenzy.
Arsenal responded swiftly, regaining the lead just four minutes later with another strike from an unknown player, taking the score to 2-1 in their favor. Yet, it was Exeter who showcased their fighting spirit, with Jack Aitchison equalizing in the 64th minute. The Grecians were clearly fueled by their home crowd, and just two minutes later, Magennis struck again, putting Exeter City ahead 3-2 and capping off a stunning turnaround.
Despite their backs against the wall, Arsenal U21 refused to go quietly. Osman Kamara found the net in the 74th minute, restoring parity at 3-3 and bringing the tension to a boiling point. However, the drama was far from over. The match reached its climax in the 87th minute when Jayden Wareham sealed a memorable victory for Exeter with a well-timed goal.
This victory not only propelled Exeter City to second place in the Southern Group, now standing at three points from two matches, but it also marked a significant turning point after a series of disappointing results in League One. The triumph provides much-needed momentum for a side that has struggled to find its footing this season, reminiscent of the underdog story many had anticipated in the pre-match preview.
Conversely, this loss was a setback for Arsenal U21, who remains in first place despite the defeat, also holding three points from their two matches. Coaches will undoubtedly scrutinize this high-octane contest, looking to shore up defensive weaknesses that allowed the Grecians to exploit gaps.
As both teams now look ahead, Exeter will aim to build on this victory and regain confidence, while Arsenal's young squad must regroup and ensure this match serves as a learning experience as they pursue continued success in the EFL Trophy. With the next fixtures looming, both teams are faced with the challenge of maintaining momentum, while Exeter City will hope this win is the catalyst they need to climb the League One standings.