Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon: 3 requirements to beat the Dons

For the first time ever, Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon will face off against each other when they meet in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Who doesn’t love a bit of history in the making?

Mikel Arteta and his side have somewhat steadied the ship with consecutive clean sheets and 1-0 Premier League wins over Norwich and Burnley.

As for the visitors, they are coming off the back of a 1-0 loss to Plymouth Argyle despite having more possession and more shots. The loss leaves Wimbledon seventh in the League One table, just four points behind leaders Wigan.

While they’re no pushovers, the Dons are the lowest ranked side Arteta will have faced in his short managerial career, topping Portsmouth in March 2020 who were third in League One at the time. What team will he select?

3 key aspects of Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon for Mikel Arteta’s side to nail if they’re to beat the Dons in the EFL Cup third round.

The Gunners are, naturally, going to be huge favorites coming into the fixture and will be looking for a similar scoreline to when they demolished a young West Brom side 6-0 in their previous round. A place in the last 16 awaits.

Arsenal are the kings of the FA Cup. Not so much in this.

Twice in the club’s long history have they held aloft this particular trophy, first in 1987 when a brace from Charlie Nicholas secured a 2-1 win over Liverpool, and then again six years later when Steve Morrow’s 68th minute strike saw the Gunners beat Sheffield Wednesday by the same scoreline.

Since that day, and nobody will need reminding, Arsenal have reached the final on three occasions: A 2-1 loss to Chelsea in 2007 was followed by that infamous night against Birmingham in 2011, and then in 2018 Manchester City romped to a 3-0 success.

So, what does Arteta need to do to get his side past their League One opponents and take them one step closer to another final?

1. Start Strongly & Put the Dons on the Back Foot

When teams from the lower echelons come to one of the big boys in the competition there is a chance to assert yourself on the game right from the off. Dominate the ball.

For Arsenal, it is important to start the game well and grab that early goal. Putting AFC Wimbledon on the back foot early and forcing them to be more assertive plays right into Arteta’s hands. Either they open up, or the confidence wanes. It’s beneficial in both ways.

The worst thing that can happen from an Arsenal standpoint is for the visitors to still be in the game with the clock ticking down. This will breed confidence that a positive result can be attained, or, and this is crucial in the case of this competition, penalties will be fought for as if the game is level after 90 minutes then it’s straight to spot-kicks.

Without having their noses in front this will turn a rather regulation game into a bonafide banana skin match, and that is where nerves can get the better of players. Not ideal pre-Tottenham.

By scoring early, any anxiousness will dissipate from the side and they can then play their football. However, should the game be tight, the longer it goes, the worse it gets for Arsenal as the visitors will fancy their chances at sneaking a goal.

Facing a side lower on the football pyramid, getting off to a good start and getting an early lead is helpful in securing passage into the next round. For the sake of fitness and resting key players it helps, too.

It’s not the ‘magic of the FA Cup’, but never should the prospect of a Cupset be dispelled. Never.