Match Day Thread Arsenal vs. Reading (EFL Cup 4th Round) 2016/17 Official Match Thread

Giroud I assume will get some minutes today to help towards him regaining match fitness.

Also I had high hopes for Zelalem when I first saw him play so I'd be interested to see how he does if he gets onto the pitch.

 

I want to see Giroud get at least 30 mins in this game. We're going to need him to get back up to match fitness soon. Against Boro, it showed that we lacked a plan B up front. We needed a big target man in the box during that game.

 

Giroud on now

 

Ox 2-0 Reading

 

Gideon Zelalem getting 10 mins here

 

There were a few hairy moments in the first half, but honestly, Reading have barely threatened us. I can't recall Martinez making more than two saves - and even then, they were pretty routine.

I thought it was a disappointing first half, but we've dominated the second-half without exerting too much energy. Just a shame we couldn't score a few more goals because we've had some good chances in the second half.

I hope Perez's injury isn't too serious because I thought he did pretty well, given the lack of service. Certainly looks like a good option to have in the squad.

 

I thought Martinez did well when he was called upon. That save from the Reading free kick outside our box near the end was a really good stop.

 

Gunner must be celebrating right now. great performance from Oxlade!

 

Good result. Good performance. Nice to see the squad players playing with high intensity and attacking well. They've earned themselves a QF for their efforts

 

Also - Ox's brace tonight means he's scored 5 goals already this season. This is his highest goal tally in an Arsenal shirt so far . Hopefully, there's more to come.

Still needs to work on his general play, as he can be a bit sloppy, but I'm glad that his end product is starting to show.

 

Decent performance. Reine Adelaide and Niles both look decent. Iwobi is just a class act and Holding is looking ike a top class young defender.

Actually thought Oxlade was pretty mediocre again. (despite two goals)

 

Agreed. He's still got some work to do, but the bar is so high for the first team. He's already a really good player. If he can improve on his final ball at times, he will be a brilliant attacking player.

 

Also hope Perez's injury isn't too bad.

 

I also thought Jenkinson filled in nicely at RB tonight. Good solid, yet uninspiring performance by the team..job done!

 

A couple of my favourite moments in that half: Gabriel flicking the ball with a back heel over his head, over the reading player, running onto it, collecting it and passing straight past a second player like he thought he was Neymar.

And Holding going past two or three players to play it to Giroud before the second goal.

Our CBs had silky skills

 

Overall a good performance from a team made up of backup and youth players.

Pleased to see Giroud get a run out. Zelalem looked composed on the ball when he came on as well. Willock gets good reviews when I've seen the first team players talk about him in interviews but didn't get much chance to do anything when he came on, but he is only 17.

Gibbs and Jenkinson got much needed minutes on the pitch too.

From the glimpses we have seen of Perez in an Arsenal shirt I'm excited to see what he will be able to offer the team over the course of the season. I think he's got something about him.

 

I noticed that in the build-up to the second goal too!

For a big guy, Holding is quite mobile and comfortable with the ball at his feet. Especially when you compare him with Mertesacker.

 

For me it's now Kos/Mustafi/Holding/Mert/Gabriel in that order of first choice CB's

And that's not to knock Gabriel either, it just shows how well stocked we are now

 

Good win, could only catch the 2nd half because of class
Hope Perez is ok but good to see Giroud and Jenks back in first team action. Ox getting his highest goal tally is good. And hopefully more to come. Now on to the Quarter-Final and I hope we get Leeds/Norwich.

 

When is the draw ?