Arsenal cruised to victory in the end as they controlled the game in the last 20 minutes, Forest showed little in terms of resistance, and the travelers added a fourth goal in stoppage-time, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining the party.
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Granit Xhaka rifled in the opener from distance and Lucas Perez scored a penalty and a fine individual goal. “Overall I felt that technically we played well, our combinations worked well and we played at a high pace and that’s where we made the difference in the game”, said Wenger.
Next up was Arsenal’s match away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. In turn, this means that several youth players are expected to be given a chance to prove their worth, in a competition that Wenger has used to test out his fringe players before; with varying success.
Bendtner then showed both sides of the character which has typified his career by catching Xhaka with a late foul and receiving a needless yellow card, before nearly scoring his first Forest goal by flashing a fierce right-footed shot narrowly wide.
It was clear that Wenger was prioritising the game against Chelsea on Saturday and there was only a brief flurry early on, when Pajtim Kasami made a mess of a presentable chance, when Forest threatened to repeat what Sheffield Wednesday did in this competition last season.
Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner lined up for Forest against his old club, but it was Arsenal’s new arrivals who shone. We know if we press Arsenal then they can play around us so we have to be aware of the challenges.
Nottingham Forest legend Steve Hodge believes that the Championship outfit were completely outplayed by frighteningly good Arsenal players on Tuesday night in an EFL Cup match. It was Xhaka’s second goal in four days for Arsenal and further underlined the reason Wenger paid £35m to sign the Swiss from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.
Bendtner could not find his way onto the scoresheet against his former club and received a standing ovation from Arsenal fans when he was substituted late on. He doesn’t use his right enough.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal is scheduled for a 7.45pm BST (12.15am IST) start.
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“Giroud is still not available”, Wenger said. “As well as technique, it showed great determination to win the fight”.
