A young Arsenal side ran over Nottingham Forrest in what I call the Bendtner Derby on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup. Recall that Lord Bendtner featured for both clubs before leaving England. He recently joined FC Copenhagen.

The 5-0 victory over the two time European Champions stood out for the following reasons:

  1. Holding and Bellerin returned from the sidelines and featured. Rob Holding marked his return from a 10-month injury with a goal. He had the captain band on after Ozil was subbed off. Bellerin had an assist to his name with his second touch of the game.
  2. Kieran Tierney made his debut for the Gunners since joining from Celtic for £25m. He has been on the sidelines but manned the left back position effectively. His crosses were superb and it seems we have gotten a replacement for Nacho Monreal. Kolasinac can have a break.
  3. Chambers was on fire. The former Southampton player had three assists in the game. His volley-cross was found by Gabriel Martinelli in the 31st minute for the opener. With the introduction of Bellerin, he switched from right back to left back and had two more assists – Nelson 84′, and Martinelli 90+3′. He now has 3 clean sheets, 3 assists, 1 goal in 3 games for the Gunners this season. Should he start at United this weekend?
  4. The 5-0 win was the first time the Gunners would win by same scoreline since Wenger’s last game for Arsenal in May 2018 (5-0 vs Burnley).

It was a game that had a good concentration of Arsenal’s future like the old days of Carling Cup. Emile Smith Rowe started but was subbed off in the first half due to a head injury. Bukayo Saka came in and had a lot of good moments. Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson capped their performance with a goal each while Brazilian Martinelli scored a brace. It was also a good game for Mesut Ozil who captained the side. Martinez had little or nothing to do in the game.

The result and the draw thereafter meant that Arsenal would play Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup at Anfield. It is a difficult tie to be played next month (October 26). Will Unai Emery feature the young gunners at Anfield?

Prior to the Carabao Cup goal fest, Arsenal came from a goal down, twice to defeat Aston villa 3-2 at the Emirates. Aubameyang once again saved three points for the Gunners with a late free kick. Matteo Guendouzi was my man of the match. Pepe finally got a goal to his name. He converted the penalty won by Guendouzi.

Auba vs Aston Villa

It was a game that was meant to be easy but the Gunners conceded in the 20th minute and were reduced to 10 men shortly before half time.

In other news, Spurs were knocked out of the Carabao Cup via Penalties by Colchester, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a goal for the first time in over 365 days.

That is the lot for today.

Photo credit: Arsenal

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