Cup football is often unpredictable, but Arsenal managed to progress through to round four of the Carabao Cup as Theo Walcott's goal gave them a 1-0 win over plucky Doncaster.
Although it was far from the perfect performance by the hosts, the prize for the Gunners' victory is a home tie against Championship side Norwich in the fourth round.
After starting the game at a decent pace and creating plenty of opportunities it looked as though it could be a day of several goals for the Gunners, but instead they had to settle for just the one against their battling League One opponents.
Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor had a busy opening 45 minutes, but it was the visitors who had the first chance after just 30 seconds. Rodney Kongolo, who is on loan at Rovers from Manchester City, saw his shot well saved by David Ospina in the Arsenal goal.
Lawlor was called into action for the first time in the game soon after as he kept out Walcott's strike before Olivier Giroud saw his penalty appeal turned down when he appeared to have been pulled down in the box.
Arsenal looked in a confident attacking mood as Alexis Sanchez sent a shot just off target, while Giroud's superb acrobatic effort hit the crossbar.
Lawlor parried a free-kick from Sanchez before Giroud headed just over following a great cross from Mohamed Elneny. But the Gunners were not to be denied after 25 minutes as Walcott latched onto a quality ball over the top from Sanchez before slotting the ball beyond Lawlor.
Jack Wilshere sent a long-range shot just wide, while Giroud volleyed just over the bar as the chances continued to come and go for Arsenal.
Walcott had the chance to double his tally in the first half, but Niall Mason made a crucial block to put the ball behind for a corner. At the other end, Doncaster forward Alfie May saw his shot hit the side netting.
Arsenal wasted the chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time as youngster Reiss Nelson saw his shot spilled by Lawlor, but the goalkeeper managed to reclaim the ball at the second attempt as the Gunners took a narrow 1-0 lead in at the break.
To some extent it had been an impressive attacking half from Arsenal, but the fact it was only 1-0 was disappointing and we really must get better at taking our chances and killing games off.
Walcott came close to adding his second within three minutes of the restart when he latched onto Giroud's pass, but the striker's effort went over the bar. Walcott thought the ball had diverted off Lawlor and behind, but a goal kick was given.
Doncaster didn't get too many opportunities, but very nearly made Arsenal pay for their missed chances shortly before the hour mark. Nelson gifted possession to Doncaster and May burst clear upfield, but fortunately for the hosts Ainsley Maitland-Niles showed great pace to track back and bail his team-mate out.
Lawlor was again called into action as he parried Nelson's effort wide for a corner before Doncaster wasted three chances in quick succession. Liam Mandeville's cross was headed over by Andy Butler before Rovers' substitute John Marquis twice shot off target.
Doncaster were nearly in again when Maitland-Niles gifted the ball to them and Ben Whiteman raced forward, but the Arsenal youngster once again showed great pace to win possession back.
The late flurry of Doncaster chances continued as Mandeville's shot was deflected wide for a corner by defender Per Mertesacker.
Arsenal should really have added to their lead before the end, but Giroud sent a shot into the side netting before Rob Holding sent his effort straight at Lawlor.
Lawlor produced an excellent save to parry substitute Alex Iwobi's effort in injury time, but he was unable to prevent Arsenal from ending victorious.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Doncaster fan Ian Joyce was full of praise for his side despite the result.
"It was a great performance," said Joyce. "All you can do in these games is give everything and we did and I'm so proud of my home team.
"To keep them at 1-0 is a fantastic effort. No-one gave us a chance and we could have shocked them. I'm happy with them all.
"We've been unlucky in most games. If we play with that effort, energy and commitment we will be fine."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
We may not have been as clinical as I would have liked, but we did what mattered most and got the job done by progressing into the fourth round.
Focus must now turn back to the Premier League and the visit of West Brom. Nothing other than a win will do from this one, but it will be far from easy as the Baggies have been a banana skin for us a fair few times over the years.
We'll need to do better at making our chances count and keep it very tight at the back. It won't be easy, but if we can play to our potential there's no reason why we can't get the three points.
The season is still in its infancy, but we need to make sure we prove ourselves and get wins from our next three league games against West Brom, Brighton and Watford. It won't be easy, but it is certainly possible!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
No comments:
Post a Comment