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Arsenal's Carabao Cup run got off to a mediocre start as the Gunners huffed and puffed their way past a resolute and physical Port Vale side at Vale Park on Wednesday night. Three players in particular stood out above the rest.
Mikel Arteta's decision to start with a strong side may have been justified given the result on Wednesday. However, starting Bukayo Saka on the right side of attack when he has just returned from injury and Noni Madueke is out for an undetermined period with a knee injury, has been heavily criticised.
The Gunners started brightly and Eze opened the scoring inside ten minutes. Gabriel Martinelli stepped in off the left and looked for a quick one-two with Myles Lewis-Skelly who had drifted into the penalty area. Lewis-Skelly showed great awareness as he let the ball run through to Eze who was arriving at pace. As the ball slid across him, Eze opened his body and passed the ball into the net with his right foot.
Despite dominating the first half, Arsenal could not build on their one goal advantage and went in a goal up at the break.
The second half started in similar fashion to the way that the first period ended. On the hour mark, Saka was caught by a heavy challenge and hobbled off to be replaced by Max Dowman.
But it wasn't until Arteta brought Viktor Gyökeres on with fifteen minutes to go and went more direct that Arsenal were able to put the match to bed.
As good as William Saliba's long ball up to Trossard was, the Belgian's finish was even better. His low and hard shot was unstoppable and Arsenal were through.
A home draw against Brighton may not be the best draw that Arsenal could have hoped for – but it's not the worst either. Here's Wednesday's standouts
1. Eberechi Eze
Eze's goal capped off a decent evening for Arsenal's late summer signing from Crystal Palace. Arriving into the box late, Eze anticipated well and then stroked the ball home coolly and with the precision of a surgeon.
The Arsenal Number 10 had two shots in the match, both on target, and made 43 passes with an 88% accuracy rate.
It's fair to argue that Eze's influence dropped as the match headed into the closing stages but his performance at Vale Park will have given his manager plenty to think about, particularly when Martin Odegaard is back and fit.
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