Arsenal 6-1 Coventry

Arsenal cruised through to the next round of the League Cup after beating League One side Coventry City 6-1. The Gunners fielded a side mixed with youth and experience as expected in the League Cup, especially when playing a League One team. I am still uncertain whether Wenger will play a stronger side in the next round if we draw a Premier League team or not. The side put out tonight had plenty of experience of Premier League football, even if the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who are both England internationals, still fit into the category of ‘youngsters’.

Arsenal started the game slowly, but 6 minutes before half time, they took the lead through Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman had yet to score for the Gunners, but had enough confidence to chip the Coventry keeper to give his side the lead and get his first goal in Arsenal colours. Giroud could have had his second Arsenal goal in the second half. Arsenal were given a penalty after Andrei Arshavin was brought down by a Coventry defender, but after a streaker got onto the pitch, Giroud had to wait to take his kick. Giroud’s kick was saved by Murphy in the Coventry goal and the score remained 1-0.

Giroud scores his first goal for the club.

It began to rain goals soon after though. Andrei Arshavin was out to prove a point tonight and the Russian set up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to belt in Arsenal’s second from range. Arshavin then got on the scoresheet himself after being handed his first start for the Gunners since January.

Theo Walcott added a fourth in the 73rd minute before Coventry substitute Callum Ball got the visitors a consolation goal 5 minutes later. Coventry didn’t have long to celebrate their goal as 2 minutes later, Ignasi Miquel put in Arsenal’s 5th goal of the evening. Theo Walcott scored the final goal on what became a comfortable night for Arsenal and a good night for Walcott himself, who netted a brace.

Arsenal will have tougher challenges ahead of them if they are going to win the League Cup this season, but it was an impressive display nevertheless. The fans that went tonight certainly got value for money, with tickets going from about a fiver to a tenner. They got a glimpse of the present and the future. Serge Gnabry impressed after coming on in the 72nd minute.

Arsenal have won both of their last two home games 6-1. I don’t think any Arsenal fans will be complaining if that scoreline comes up on Saturday in Arsenal’s favour when Chelsea visit the Emirates!.