Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-0 Reading

Arsenal strolled to a 2-0 win over Championship Reading in the EFL Cup fourth round at the Emirates Stadium. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a brace on a night where the Arsenal defence were never really troubled from open play.

Arsenal scored first, as Reading were guilty of giving the ball away, from which Chamberlain took full advantage, dribbling into the box and lashing a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner. That was the best of a poor first-half of a game that has failed to live up to previous encounters between the two sides. Spaniard Lucas Perez had the chance to score his third of the EFL cup when he was put through one-on-one, however, opted to pass rather than shoot on his weaker right foot.

The second-half failed to improve the mood of a dull game with equally poor quality from both sides. Chamberlain scored his second of the night on the 78th minute when his deflected strike came off a Reading defender and diverted to the top corner. Reading’s best chance came towards the end of the game as a low drilled free-kick was well saved by Emiliano Martinez.

Let’s take a look at the match ratings for Arsenal players.

Emiliano Martinez: 7/10

Produced three decent saves when called upon including a brilliant save from a low free kick.

Carl Jenkinson: 7/10

With the Arsenal defence rarely troubled, the Arsenal star had an easy comeback game, focusing more on attack than defence – linking well with Chamberlain in the opening minutes which saw him miss an easy chance.

Gabriel Paulista: 7/10

The Brazilian had an easy game which saw him ease through just his second start of the season.

Rob Holding: 7/10

Like his centre-half colleague, Holding eased through the game with a few interceptions.

Kieran Gibbs: 7/10

Captain on the night and led by example, making a good tackle when Reading were through two-on-two.

Mohamed Elneny: 7/10

Completed his passes in midfield with ease, while playing a deeper role with his younger partner Ainsley Maitland-Niles pushing further up.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles- 7.5/10

The under-21 star looked comfortable in a centre midfield role and will be disappointed in not scoring given the opportunities he had.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain- 8.5/10

The England star was at his brilliant best, running at and past defenders and putting in dangerous crossers, he took his two goals well, with a bit of fortune in the second. A much better performance for the winger, if he keeps this up, he could push himself back into the first-team XI.

Alex Iwobi: 7/10

Caused havoc in the first half playing between the Reading defence and Midfield by playing a lot of passes that saw Arsenal split the Reading defence often in the first half with no prolific finishing.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide: 6/10

Received the ball on the wing a few times, Reine-Adelaide drifted through the game. The 10 spot seems the most comfortable spot, yet he often found himself playing on the wing with Iwobi playing through the middle – a quiet night for Reine-Adelaide.

Lucas Perez: 6.5/10

Didn’t receive much service as the lone striker, but the one chance he did get, he made a poor decision in passing rather than shooting. A tough night for the Spaniard, who eventually came off, having picked up an injury.