Arsenal 2, Reading 0: Arsene Wenger hails Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the new Theo Walcott as Gunners cruise into last eight of EFL Cup
Arsenal 2, Reading 0
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is following Theo Walcott's lead after the winger scored twice to send the Gunners into the last eight of the EFL Cup.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal in each half against Reading extended Arsenal's unbeaten run to 13 games and took his tally to four from his last three starts — form that might be enough for more regular selection but for Walcott's even more prolific season.
Read more: I never considered selling Walcott, insists Wenger
Walcott, now 27, is finally threatening to deliver on his teenage promise this term, and Wenger believes that his transformation is inspiring Oxlade-Chamberlain's own new-found efficiency.
"Before, sometimes you felt he acted in front of goal like he didn't deserve to score," said Wenger. "Now he has added some belief to his finishing. You have hope every time he has the ball that something can happen.
"He is of course powerful but he finishes well. He has added that to his game — that's linked with confidence. He has worked very hard and is following Wlacott on the same way. They are lifting each other.
"He is sharper, more determined. He has worked a lot mentally to be focused. I think it comes out every day in training and now it's starting to come out in games.
"He's not a young player any more; he's now 23 and at 23 you become a finished article. Before 23 you learn your job; at 23 you become more consistent, you know what's expected of you, you know how to deal with the pressure, the competition inside the squad.
"He was so talented so young, in the national team so young that people forget they are still young players."
Full-back Carl Jenkinson, handed his first Arsenal start for two and a half years in one of 10 changes from the weekend, had the hosts' first chance in the sixth minute when he blasted straight at Ali Al-Habsi and headed the rebound over.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's directness and Alex Iwobi's trickery were proving the Gunners' most potent weapons and the two combined moments later for the former to drag a low shot across goal and narrowly wide.
Young midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles curled past the upright and £17m striker Lucas fluffed a golden chance with a botched attempted pass to Iwobi as Reading's disciplined defending began to frustrate Arsenal.
The Championship side undid their good work by inviting the opening goal in the 33rd minute, however, when centre-back Joey van den Berg's loose touch fell to Oxlade-Chamberlain and he shot through Tyler Blackett's legs into the far corner.
Reading almost equalised when Callum Harriott's shot looped onto the roof of the net via Gabriel's back, while Yann Kermorgant's header forced Emiliano Martinez into an acrobatic save early in the second half.
Al Habsi parried substitute Olivier Giroud's header, Liam Moore headed off the line in the ensuing scramble and Iwobi fell over when trying to follow up Oxlade-Chamberlain's saved shot as Arsenal'sfinishing took a comic turn.
The England winger settled the contest – and claimed his first brace since February 2014 – 12 minutes from time, drilling a shot through a crowded box and in off Jordan Obita's boot.