EFL Cup 2016/17: Arsenal 2-0 Reading - 5 talking points

Arsenal Reading
Chamberlain’s brace helped Arsenal ease past Reading

Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win over Reading in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. The Gunners dominated for most of the match and could have easily had 4-5 at the very least.

A costly error from the Reading defense allowed Chamberlain to get in behind and wallop the ball into the bottom corner to give Arsenal the lead in the first half. The 23-year-old grabbed his second of the night with the help of a deflection in the 78th minute but was denied a hat-trick as he was substituted soon after the goal.

The away side did not offer much in the form of attack and Arsene Wenger will be pleased with the final result.

Here are 5 talking points from the game:

#1 Arsenal’s clean sheet affinity continues

Martinez, Arsenal
Emi Martinez had a great game in goal

The Gunners claimed their 7th clean sheet in their last 8 games in all competitions. Arsene Wenger's were untroubled for the most part and had the Reading attackers under control for most of the game. The only real save Martinez had to make came at about the hour mark when Kermorgant’s header was heading towards the goal but the 24-year-old was alert and kept it out with relative ease.

The stand-in keeper was called into action in the dying stages of the game as well when he made a smart double save to keep Reading at bay.

Be it Cech, Ospina or Martinez, Arsenal fans would be pleased by the performance of their keepers. Petr Cech was outstanding against Middlesbrough when he pulled off some marvellous saves. Ospina was similarly brilliant in the Gunners’ Champions League ties against PSG, Basel, and Ludogorets and now it was Martinez’s turn to show off some of his skills between the sticks.

The defense, too, was pretty solid in the absence of Koscielny and Mustafi. Rob Holding and Gabriel did have a couple of nervy moments but were pretty comfortable for most of the game. The Gunners have now just conceded 2 goals in their last 8 matches and Arsene Wenger seems to have sorted out the defensive end of things for now.

#2 Reine-Adelaide and Maitland-Niles could be future stars

Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles had a solid game in midfield

Arsenal’s future looks bright with the emergence of Maitland-Niles and Adelaide. The duo were present in most of Arsenal’s attacks and linked up brilliantly with each other as well as with Chamberlain and Iwobi.

Rene-Adelaide especially looked at ease for most of the game. His quick feet and silky touch enabled him to drive through the Reading defense on numerous occasions. Although his final ball and finishing are still lacking slightly, that will come with experience.

Maitland, too, had a very decent game. The versatile 19-year-old played at right back against Nottingham but was moved into the center of midfield tonight where he showed his true prowess. Niles could have got on the scoresheet in the first half but his shot from the edge of the box flew well wide of the post.

Along with Iwobi, the duo could be the future of Arsenal FC.

#3 Costly mistakes from Reading

Arsenal vs Reading EFL Cup
Defensive mistakes cost Reading the game

Reading's insistence on passing the ball out of their defense cost them dear in the end as Arsenal's opening goal came from a defensive error. Al Habsi's pass fell straight to Oxlade who drove past the defense and fired home. It wasn't the only instance of poor distribution from the keeper, however, as the Omani continued to gift Arsenal with the possession even after the goal.

The Reading defenders, too, had to share some of the blame as they were guilty of sloppy passing and often got caught in possession in their own half.

Reading do not possess players who have the ability to play out from the back like Barcelona or even Arsenal but yet they tried it time and again and could have conceded at least 4 if Arsenal had their finishing boots on.

#4 Strange tactics from the away side

Arsenal vs Reading EFL Cup
Reading were happy to sit back and invite Arsenal onto them

Reading seemed to have lost the game even before the kickoff. Adopting a defensive mindset throughout, they did not venture forward even when they trailed 1-0. Content to sit back and absorb pressure, they created just 2 chances throughout the game out of which 1 was in stoppage time.

Teams that take the game to Arsenal and attack them from the outset are usually the ones that get a result. Liverpool did it brilliantly in the opening game of the Premier League and more recently, Swansea. Despite ending up on the losing side, they caused the Gunners’ defense plenty of problems in the latter stages.

Middlesbrough, as well, took the game to Arsenal and could've had a couple of goals on another day. Reading, however, seemed to be happy with a narrow defeat. Jaap Stam’s men hardly ever pressed the Gunners’ midfield high up the pitch and allowed the Arsenal players far too much time and space to pick out passes of their choice.

#5 Arsenal's wastefulness could cost them down the line

Arsenal Reading, EFL Cup
Arsenal missed a number of opportunities

Arsenal have been guilty of squandering chances in the past. This season they have been more clinical in front of goal but tonight they reverted back to the Arsenal of old as they tried to walk the ball into the goal on more than 1 occasion.

Lucas Perez, Olivier Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex Iwobi and Maitland-Niles all had gilt-edged chances to score but all of them either missed the target or had their attempts saved by Al Habsi. Although their generosity didn’t cost them tonight, it could against bigger teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.

Perez especially seemed to lack confidence in front of goal which seems strange seeing that he just recently scored 2 against Nottingham Forest. Iwobi and Niles both had shots that flew well off target from decent positions. Giroud didn't do much wrong as his header was saved magnificently by Al Habsi. Chamberlain bagged a couple but he too could've had more had his finishing been on point.

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Edited by Staff Editor