Ox pushing for first team? Arsenal v Reading player ratings

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal beat Reading 2-0 at the Emirates last night after a good showing from their young stars.

Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shoots at goal

Arsenal eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Reading in the EFL Cup last night and it was a chance for some young players to make a name for themselves in both sides. Here’s how they fared at the Emirates:

Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez

Had little to do, but made some good stops when called upon and marshalled the defence well. 6/10

Carl Jenkinson

Struggled to begin with, but grew into the game and looked better when he sat back. 6/10

Gabriel

Fared reasonably well and made some important interceptions. 6/10

Rob Holding

Another impressive performance – solid at the back and composed on the ball. 8/10

Arsenal’s Rob Holding

Kieran Gibbs

Another good display in which he ably supported the attackers and cleared his lines well. 7/10

Mohamed Elneny

Good recycling helped Arsenal keep the pressure on and his deliveries from free-kicks always threatened. 7/10

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Looked tidy on his first home start for the Gunners. 6/10

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Took his goals well and provided a consistent threat throughout. Has already exceeded his best ever goal output for a season. Must be pushing Wenger for a role as a first choice player. 9/10

Alex Iwobi

Another excellent performance in possession, hardly lost the ball all night. Needs to improve his end product. 7/10

Jeff Reine-Adelaide

Looked very slick with the ball and caused problems down the left until his withdrawal. 7/10

Lucas Perez

Linked up well with the mobile wingers and midfielders but was profligate in front of goal. 6/10

Substitutions

Olivier Giroud

Characteristically good link-up play – should have scored from Elneny’s free-kick. 6/10

Chris Willock

Looked lively from the left but didn’t do enough defensively. 5/10

Gedion Zelalem

Not on long enough. n/a

Reading

Ali Al Habsi

A superb string of stops ensured the score wasn’t four or five. 8/10

Reading’s Ali Al Habsi applauds fans after the game

Tennai Watson

An good overall showing but tired early and struggled against Reine-Adelaide. 6/10

Liam Moore

Unable to contain the likes of Iwobi and Perez and picked up a booking late on. 5/10

Tyler Blackett

Too easily beaten by Oxlade-Chamberlain for the goal. 5/10

Jordan Obita

Had some luck against the roaming Jenkinson but offered little in resistance. 6/10

Joey van den Berg

Gave the ball away for the first goal and was clumsy all night. 4/10

Liam Kelly

Reading’s best outfield player on the night with a great passing range. 7/10

Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny in action with Reading’s Liam Kelly

George Evans

Went missing as he was overrun by the Arsenal midfield. 4/10

Garath McCleary

Had little luck on the right but was industrious. 6/10

Dominic Samuel

A willing runner in behind but was unable to get the better of the Arsenal centre-halves. 5/10

Callum Harriott

Again, caused problems for Arsenal down the flank but lacked end product. 5/10

Subs

Yann Kermorgant

Provided some immediate direction and generally had a good impact. 7/10

Danzell Gravenberch

Virtually non-existent and struggled to settle into the game. 4/10

Stephen Quinn

Not on long enough. n/a