Arsenal analysis: Jeff Reine-Adelaide looks ready for the big time as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thrives vs Reading

Arsenal booked their place in the last eight of the EFL Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Championship side Reading, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring both the goals.

Arsene Wenger used the match to examine a cast of reserves and young prospects, but which will have caught the Arsenal boss’ eye?

Standard Sport’s James Benge examines the players who had something to prove…

Jeff Reine-Adelaide

In his pre-match programme notes Arsene Wenger offered a glowing assessment of the French youngster, already a cult figure at the Emirates despite just three senior appearances to his name.

Reine-Adelaide proved his manager’s faith was well-deserved with a strong display in which he proved himself to be in possession of an eye for a pass in tight spaces, a confidence in possession and an innate understanding of space.

An unused substitute in two Premier League matches, you suspect we won’t have to wait long until Wenger throws his latest young gun in at the deep end. On the basis of tonight Reine-Adelaide looks like he will thrive.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

One of the most experienced players in tonight’s side Oxlade-Chamberlain thrived with the responsibility, conducting much of Arsenal’s attack alongside Alex Iwobi despite his wide right berth.

At times he drifted infield in search of possession but more often than not he was to be found pinning his opponent back deep with direct running.

His first half opener was supremely well-taken and helped sooth nerves after half an hour of relatively blunt attacking. Just what Wenger would want from a senior pro.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

A right-back in the last round today Maitland-Niles found himself deployed in a deep-lying two alongside Mohamed Elneny.

It is the position Wenger believes he will eventually settle into but on the basis of his performance against Reading that may be a while off.

That is not to say that there isn’t quality to the 19-year-old’s game, more that he still lacks the finesse he will need to break into the first team squad. Too often he shot from outside the box when he could have passed and those efforts were invariably wild.

Lucas Perez

A fine burst in behind on 22 minutes saw Lucas find himself clear on goal. What followed was the mark of a player whose confidence has already taken a serious blow after less than two months at the club. A confident striker would have shot for goal when one-on-one with Ali Al Habsi; Lucas tried to square for Reine-Adelaide and conceded possession.

It rather summed up a night of poor decision making that ended in frustrating fashion, a clip from a Reading defender forcing him off with the game still in the balance. After expressing his frustration at the limited play time he has had so far Lucas will be disappointed he made so little of a chance to impress Wenger.

Gabriel

Another who may find first team opportunities limited, certainly after a sloppy first half in which he struggled to tame the pace of Callum Harriott in the first period.

He also gave away a needless free-kick on halfway that, though it was of little damage, seemed indicative of poor decision making.

With Rob Holding looking composed next to him this was an inopportune game for Gabriel to struggle, particularly against opponents with so little attacking force.

Olivier Giroud

Often a divisive figure at the Emirates Giroud was greeted as a returning hero even before he came off the bench with 25 minutes left, the home support chanting his name whenever he so much as stepped away from the substitutes bench.

He nearly marked his return with a goal, only to see his bullet header denied by a superb Al Habsi save. Giroud also played a crucial role in the game-ending second, smartly holding up the ball to tee up Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike.

Wenger admitted his side had missed the Frenchman’s physicality against Middlesbrough. They may well need it again on the road to Sunderland next Saturday.