ARSENAL beat Leeds 2-0 at the Emirates to progress to the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
Bernd Leno was solid between the sticks and showed competition for the No 1 spot is high, but Mohamed Elneny proved he is not the answer to Arsenal’s central midfield problem while Granit Xhaka is out injured.
Arsenal were the better team in the early stages as Leeds took a while to wake up with the Gunners pressing high and looking most likely to score.
But the visitors grew into it as the half wore on and forced a couple of decent saves out of the excellent Leno with Dan James and Jack Harrison coming the closest.
The teams went in 0-0 at the break but Arsenal came out for the second-half re-invigorated and were ahead within 10 minutes of the restart.
Andre Marriner needed his techno-watch to tell him Calum Chambers’ header had gone over the line just seconds after the defender had replaced the injured Ben White.
And Eddie Nketiah scored against the team where he was hardly given a chance on loan to wrap up the win on 69 minutes.
Here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
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BERND LENO – 9/10
Stood up well to thwart Dan James as the former Manchester United star was played through over the top shortly before the 20 minute mark.
Superb near-post save from Jack Harrison’s back-post volley on 26 minutes.
Kept Arsenal in the game and proved he’s breathing down Ramsdale’s neck for the No 1 spot which can only be good for Mikel Arteta.
CEDRIC SOARES – 8
Vital interception on the half-hour mark after Elneny’s poor touch set Leeds away on a dangerous looking attack.
Came flying out the blocks in the second half and offered plenty going forward down the right flank.
Booked for a cynical pull back on Stuart Dallas as Leeds broke on 58 minutes. Excellent display.
ROB HOLDING (subbed off 76 mins)- 7
Some encouraging ball carries out from the back worried Leeds and helped break through their midfield and pull players out of position.
Also did what he had to when called upon at the back.
BEN WHITE (subbed 55 mins) – 7
Wasn’t called upon to defend until about quarter of an hour in but he stood up to the test as Leeds tried to break into the box down the right.
Driving run out the heart of defence on 21 minutes saw Tyler Roberts tug him back and get booked.
Solid performance until he went down injured and was subbed just before the hour mark.
SEAD KOLASINAC – 6
His vicious shot at the near post 10 minutes in nearly squeezed through Meslier’s legs but it cannoned out for a corner.
Earned his money and was solid at the back.
MOHAMED ELNENY (subbed off 72 mins) – 5
Couple of decisive interceptions on the rare occasion Leeds attacked in the early stages.
But became sloppy in possession on a couple of occasions which allowed Leeds to break.
Understandably subbed.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES – 7
Marshalled well at the base of midfield and made some well-timed bursting runs forward to join attacks when called upon.
Thwarted James as he broke down the right and Leeds threatened after 25 minutes.
Showed he can do it in midfield.
NICOLAS PEPE – 6
Willing runner in the early stages.
Looked set to be another average showing from the £72million man.
But hovered at the back post to head the ball back into the six-yard box for Chambers to open the scoring.
EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed off 72 mins) – 5
Quiet showing compared to some of his recent Man-of-the-Match performances.
Should have done better with a chance from the edge of the box towards the end of the first half. The ball bounced of Pepe and into his path but he blazed it over with his left.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Arsenal fans were delighted to see the Brazilian included from the start and his early showing proved why.
Pressed high and aggressively in the first half and looked dangerous when he got on the ball and tried to make things happen.
Pathetic attempt to get Cody Drameh sent off after the right-back’s arm brushed his cheek towards the end of the first half. Went down clutching his face but it rightfully came to nothing.
Lots of pace and promise but almost no end product.
EDDIE NKETIAH – 7
High energy start and got on the ball regularly as the home side put the pressure on early.
Capitalised on Liam Cooper’s awful back header to scoop the ball over Meslier and just about tuck it over the line from two yards out on 69 minutes.
Will have liked scoring against Leeds where he hardly got a chance when on loan there.
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Subs
CALUM CHAMBERS (replaced White) – 8
What an impact!
He had barely been on for two minutes when he headed Pepe’s cushioned header over the line.
Scored with his first touch.
NUNO TAVARES (replaced Holding) – 6
Not enough time to make a huge impact but solid when called upon.
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA (replaced Elneny) – 6
Helped see the game out well.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (replaced Smith Rowe) – 6
Injected energy and should have done better with a right-footed effort he blazed over at the death.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
