Well, that was certainly a fun and entertaining match against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

Arsenal, as you might have heard, won 4-0 with a mixed team full of youngsters and players that don’t get to play as much.

It was a gamble but ut paid off and the team looked great.

So how did they do individually?

Emi Martinez – 7

Emi got his first start for Arsenal since December 2014, and he’ll probably start every match in the League Cup this season. He did really well, even though Nottingham Forest’s players didn’t test him that much. He saved what needed to be saved.

Kieran Gibbs – 7

I said it before and I’ll say it again, Gibbs would be a starter in almost every other Premier League team. It’s such a privilege to have a player this good available when you need him. A good match for him, even though he didn’t have much to do. If I was looking for something to complain about, he could have done more going forward. Was also captain for the evening.

Gabriel – 7

Gabriel did well in his first start back from the injury. He had one outstanding tackle in 2nd half that denied Forest a goal.

Rob Holding – 6.5

Rob had an equally good match as the rest of the defence but he did give them a free-kick in a dangerous position and got himself a yellow card. Those are the only reasons for a half-point deduction.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles- 7

Gonna repeat myself here and say good match, just like the rest of the back four. He didn’t do much going forward, but that’s OK. Get the defensive basics right first.

Mohamed Elneny – 7

Elneny looked great in midfield, constantly running around, tackling and joining in attacks. He had a few shots on goal, one saved by the Forest keeper , and put in a few intelligent crosses for the front men.

Granit Xhaka – 7.5

Oh Granit, what a goal, again! A long-shot screamer for the second game in a row! He was great during whole match as well, but I can’t stop watching that goal.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – 6.5

I was ready to give Ox a 6, the lowest grade in the side for the game, but he scored a wonderful goal in the dying minutes of the match which saved him. Other than that, he was typical Ox, with lots of little mistakes and passes that should have been simpler. I’m worried about him, but hope this goal gives him confidence.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide – 7

The Jeff put in a good performance, looked better in the first half than in second as he no doubt tired as the game wore on. He could have been better at shooting when he had (a few) chances, but other than that a decent match for the youngster.

Chuba Akpom – 7.5

Chuba looked really good up front, with some decent chances created, and he was slightly better than Jeff on the other side. He won us the penalty which Lucas then converted.

Lucas Perez – 8 – MOTM

Finally a start for Lucas and boy did he deliver! He looked a bit lost and invisible in first half but not his fault, he barely got the ball. In the second half it all looked much better. After converting the penalty (we all know how hard that can be), he added a second after a lovely solo run, showing great resilience and determination. He also provided the assist for Ox’s goal, and deserved the biggest rating, and therefore MOTM.

Subs

Chris Willock, Gedion Zelalem, Kristina Bielik – 0

They came on late in the match and didn’t get a chance to show anything.