Sanchez-Walcott duo enough vs. Doncaster
A Theo Walcott goal was enough to put Arsenal into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but it was an increasingly nervy evening against Doncaster Rovers, as they won 1-0.
Walcott scored after 25 minutes, collecting an Alexis Sanchez ball into the box and prodding past the keeper. Arsenal had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead, with Olivier Giroud hitting the bar and wasting a hatful of chances.
League One Doncaster never really looked like scoring, but some late pressure made for an unnecessarily tense finish for Arsenal, who nevertheless are into the next round.
Positives
Arsenal are through, and they got a good 90 minutes from Sanchez, who must surely return to the starting XI in the league. Jack Wilshere also looked bright and, crucially, finished the match intact. There was also a full debut for Reiss Nelson, though not a wholly convincing one.
Negatives
Arsenal would have wanted a wider margin of victory, and there were too many errors from an admittedly young defence.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- There isn't a great deal of credit to be derived from beating a League One side at home -- especially by just a goal -- but Wenger pleased the fans by fielding a mixture of big-name stars and young hopefuls. He might note that Nelson, of whom much hope has been invested, does not look a wing-back.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David Ospina, 6 -- Had virtually nothing to do in the first half as the game was played in the Doncaster half. But faced more pressure thereafter and turned a header over the bar with five minutes remaining.
DF Calum Chambers, 6 -- Seems to suit the right side of a back three and marshalled the defence confidently before being taken off at half-time. Arsenal looked much more vulnerable without him.
DF Per Mertesacker, 7-- Never hurried with the ball at his feet, he distributed it calmly from the back and intervened in the air when required.
DF Rob Holding, 5 -- It was an error-strewn start for the youngster, as his passes were going awry, but he settled down after that. Switched from left to right after Chambers departed.
MF Reiss Nelson, 6 -- The live-wire young forward that many had come to see was in fact asked to play 'the Oxlade-Chamberlain role'. He looked a bit hesitant to attack at times, left too much space in behind, and almost gave a goal away when misjudging the bounce as last man. But had bright moments and brought a save on 65 minutes.
MF Jack Wilshere, 7 -- Making his first Arsenal start in almost 500 days, Wilshere decorated the match with some clever touches and classy passes. Should have shot when presented with a golden chance in the second half, instead of looking for the pass. He was Arsenal's midfield brain.
MF Mohamed Elneny, 6 -- One of the most profoundly average players Arsenal have had in the Wenger era, Elneny maintained a basic level of competence without ever threatening to really do anything.
AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL
MF Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 7 -- Another youngster fielded in the all-important wing-back position, Maitland-Niles looked at home when linking up with Sanchez in advanced positions. Made a crucial intervention to stop a goal after a mistake from Nelson -- and another following one of his own on 79 minutes.
FW Theo Walcott, 7 -- Got his goal, and it was a confidently taken one too as he pulled down a high ball into the box and poked past the keeper. Could have had a second when wasting a huge chance at the start of the second half.
FW Olivier Giroud, 5 -- He could have had a sensational early goal when a scissor-kick smashed against the bar. Worked hard but with little reward as he looked off his game in attack.
FW Alexis Sanchez, 7 -- Clearly far too good for this level, but Sanchez was game throughout, prompting and probing with his dribbling and passing. It was his clever ball which found Walcott for the goal and he was Arsenal's brightest spark.
Substitutes
MF Josh Dasilva, 5 -- Showed some promise but suffered from nerves as he made a sprinkling of errors.
FW Alex Iwobi, NR -- Plenty of running, little in the way of final product.
MF Joe Willock, NR -- Sent a late header wide.
Source: espn.co.uk
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