The Ox In the Box Double Seals The WIn

     Did you know Arsenal has only won the League cup 2 times in it’s over one hundred year history, with the last one coming as far back as 1993? Did you also know that the EFL cup happens to be the only domestic trophy that has so far eluded Wenger since becoming Arsenal manager?  Just a historical recap on the English League Cup formerly the Carling cup now EFL cup. Arsenal got back to winning ways and gave Arsene Wenger a consolatory belated 67^th Birthday gift with a 2-0 win over Reading at the Emirates that saw them book a quarter final berth. Our first in about four years, tells you how terrible our run in the EFL has been in recent times. We started the game brightly, bossing the midfield possession with some quick movement and passing. Al-Habsi in goal for Reading, was called to action in the first ten minutes when Jenkinson got off a shot to test the waters after a sweeping move from Iwobi to Oxlade then Jenks. The game went on more like a casual friendly with a laid back tempo, a few scuffs here and there but not at that highly competitive level we normally get in the premiership.  Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 33^rd minute through Ox who I must say, based on his recent performances seems to be slowly working his way back to form, plus he is scoring goals ….hopefully I haven’t jinxed him with another groin or hamstring pull coming for him. Niles did a pirouette dance just outside Reading’s penalty box with some nifty footwork before getting of a shot that went way over the bar for a Reading goal Kick. AL-Habsi decided to go short by playing out from the back but his defender made a harsh of it as Perez closed him down the ball fell for Chamberlain who ran at the two defenders from the right edge before lashing a diagonal ball into the far corner of beyond the outstretched Al-Habsi.
   1-0 to Arsenal

I really don’t know what the sudden craze about playing from the back is in today’s football, what happened to safety first?  City , Liverpool, Barcelona all obsessed with this play from the back concept. Considering the fact that Jaap Stam, a former defensive stalwart is their manager, one would expect better but I guess mistakes do happen. Reading tried to respond but the half played out at Arsenal 1-0 up.

     Second half came, we continued to dominate but couldn’t quite kill of the game and that was a cause for concern. Giroud 60 came on as a 60+ minute sub, his immediate impact was a fine header from a free kick. Al-Habsi made a fine save with the follow up header from Gabriel also cleared of the line by Lee. Ox again interchanged some passes on the left with Willock and Giroud before getting off a fine shot for Al-Habsi to again beat into the path of oncoming Iwobi, who lost his footing for another wasted goal scoring opportunity. Arsenal know how to make opposition keepers look good with poor finishing but they were knocking on the door for the second goal. Iwobi again snapped of a curling shot that was tipped over the bar. Our second goal duly came from none other than the Ox himself in the 78^th minute from the ensuing corner kick. Rob holding managed to keep the ball in play from an over hit cross, he dazzled a defender away before making for the byline, his cut back found Giroud who chested down and teed up Oxlade. The Ox obliged with shot that took a deflection into the next. Al-Habsi was left on the ground deflated from the wrong footing. The rest of the match was seen out without fuss, but for a header on target that Emilio had covered Reading rarely threatened.

     So what’s to be read into this match? Nothing really, we won, into the last 8 for the first time in 4 years, we had another clean, our sheet 6^th in our last 8 matches. Just another good day at the office I would say plus the opportunity for the young guns to play another 90 minutes. I like Maitland Niles in midfield very impressive again. Paired with ElNeny behind Iwobi, he was very tidy in possession with skill to get out of tight spots. ElNeny also played well too, he broke up play and got our balls to the wings very nicely. I would have loved to see more from Jeff, he has that next BIG thing tag but I am yet to be wowed like other Arsenal fans, he has time. Iwobi, a class above the other young stars, why not when he plays regularly with the big boizzz, he just needs to improve his finishing to become worlds class. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Man of the match, got us going on the wings, combined well with Jenks and gave us two fine goals on either half of the match. I hope he continues to progress, he is power and skill combined but highly inconsistent…..so can he finally kick on this season? That's the BIG question, he doesn’t have as much time to prove himself though. Our defenders did their bit too, not stretched much by the opposition, tougher tests await them. All in all, a good run out for the young gunners with Gibbs captaining us to another win and I hope We go all the way to win, yeah I can dream cant I?? Till the draws for the quarter finals are made, I see Man United have won against city…..guess you cant have it all, here’s my salute to the boiz…..Ciao