A Shot At A Trophy?

by Omkar Rege

Its no secret that Arsenal last won the Carabao cup or the league cup as it was known back then way  back in 1993 in the George Graham era. Despite not winning the gunners have had their moments in the competition under Arsene Wenger notably making it to the final in 2007, 2011 and most recently earlier this year when they got battered by a quality Man City side.

However new manager Unai Emery made his intentions about the competition known when he picked quite a strong side against Brentford in the third round of the Carabao cup at the Emirates on Wednesday evening. It came as quite a surprise to the fans as this competition is one that previous manager Arsene Wenger never took seriously and was known for always picking a pretty inexperienced side in these games.

Well it looked like Emery got it right in the end as Arsenal won the game pretty convincingly scoring three past a Brentford side who had nothing to lose. 

It started with some positive football by Arsenal as they were quick in their passing and looked to attack that gave them a corner in just the fourth minute which was taken short by Mkhitaryan to Guendouzi as he crossed the ball inside the box and it was headed into the net by Danny Welbeck.

From there on there was no looking back as the gunners continued to put the Brentford defenders under pressure and scored a beautiful goal playing out from the back on the stroke of half time.

Arsenal started quickly in the second half and looked like scoring another. But it all changed when Brentford won a free kick on the edge of the box which their midfielder Alan Judge took and scored brilliantly and that seemed to lift the spirits of the Brentford players as they played some good football after that and looked like equalising for the greater part of the second half. But it was Arsenal's poised defending and late Alexandre Lacazette goal which in the end sealed the game as the gunners won it 3-1.

Here's my take on the Arsenal players;

DANNY WELBECK 

Proving to be a very good squad player yet again, the England international looked excellent and scored two very good goals. He was quick to get on the end of things and his work ethic was impressive as he tracked back on several occasions and helped his teammates out. In my opinion he is definitely pushing for a premier league start.

ALEX IWOBI. 

Gone are the days when everyone in the crowd seemed to be jeering Iwobi, the Arsenal man looked quite solid today with the crowd cheering him on every time he had the ball and gave an energetic performance with some good forward play up front with the likes of Welbeck, Smith-Rowe and Guendouzi. Another player that is pushing for a league start. 

MATTEO GUENDOUZI

Another player whose work ethic looked exceptional, he looked to be always asking for the ball and always drove his teammates forward. Looks like the focal point in how Emery wants his team to play. Arsenal have got a gem in their hands in the form of him. 

EMILE SMITH-ROWE

The Arsenal academy youngster looked pretty decent and had a good time going forward. He even got in some great positions but his final ball needs improvement. He even did his defensive duties which is a good thing.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

Did not have the best of games, but was influential in Arsenal's second goal, looked good on the counter and got in great positions at times but his touches were sloppy

MOHAMMED ELNENY

Typical performance by the Egyptian, didn't do anything extraordinary but kept things moving and looked decent defensively.

NACHO MONREAL

Arsenal's man for the ages, the Spaniard had another powerful performance and looked great especially going forward and set up Arsenal's second goal. Did his defensive duties as well and did not leave a lot of space for the opposition to counter.

STEPHAN LICTSTEINER

Pretty aggressive performance by the Swiss international, he looked solid going forward and in defense, also won a really good header in the build up to Arsenal's second goal.

SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

He continues to make Arsenal fans nervous, as he had another one of his moments on the pitch when he lost his balance and Brentford broke in and could've scored in the first half. He did however make up for it and made some good clearances in the second half.

ROB HOLDING

Another positive performance by the Englishman, as he had a decent enough game and made some good challenges.
BERND LENO
Looked comfortable with his feet and was the initiator of Arsenal's second as it was his lovely pass from the back that led to the goal. Made some good saves and one might add that he could've done better with Brentford's free kick that led to them scoring by at least getting his hand to the ball but that's up to perception. In my opinion he could've done a bit better. 

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE

He came from the bench in the second half and played with some great physicality. Didn't necessarily have many chances, but the clear one that he got, he put it away in some style.

LUCAS TORREIRA

Came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes and steadied the ship as he sat in front of the back four and did his work.

AARON RAMSEY also came off from the bench but didn't have much impact as he only came on for the last six minutes

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Elsewhere with Man Utd and Liverpool out already and Spurs narrowly escaping Watford, one might speculate that the gunners have a realistic chance of winning the competition in what could be Unai Emery's first tropy as Arsenal manager.