Can Lucas inspire Arsenal to a handsome win against the Royals?

Written by Dan Betts on 25 October 2016. Posted in 1886 Previews

arsenal vs reading efl cup match preview 2016

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Reading - EFL Cup - 25.10.2016

A disappointing draw against Middlesbrough in the Premier League may well be a good thing if looked at from the right perspective and reacted to in the most positive way by the Club. Despite dropping points at home, other results featuring our title rivals ended favourably so Arsenal have not lost touch. Of course, we have not pulled away ever so slightly either but it seems Arsenal do better when they aren't the hot favourites for the title. This draw was not a devastating result but it could serve as a tonic for over-expectation which is a good thing as we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves with 29 more games to go.

Despite the draw the Gunners are primed near the top of the table and have a near-full squad in a good place. The match tonight represents an immediate opportunity to get back to winning ways and not allow negativity to set in. Arsène Wenger was at the club's AGM yesterday where he insisted the club would fight on all fronts. Once derided by major teams, the EFL cup is now considered a shot in the arm for other trophy challenges and all major Premier League teams give it much greater respect than before.

This new respect is evinced in the star-studded line-ups you see but when it comes to Arsenal you can still expect to see some of the lesser seen players strutting their stuff and making a case for greater involvement in the three main priorities. That said, you can never really guess what team the manager will pick aside from a few players he generously informs you will definitely play ahead of the official announcement. Damian Martinez started the last EFL Cup round and is expected to wear the gloves again and Lucas Pérez has been confirmed to start also. After that, it is a case of pure guesswork.

A host of fringe players, Hale End's best and brightest, as well as returning key squad players will be duking it out to get some valuable game time. Gabriel, Holding, Jenkinson, Reine-Adelaide, Akpom, Lucas, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xhaka, Elneny, Ramsey and Giroud will be eagerly awaiting Wenger's decision on who lines up against the Royals.

Arsenal have desperately missed Giroud, as demonstrated at the weekend. Alexis has performed admirably as a striker and the role as go to striker choice is his to lose but there are some games you need a handsome battering ram to bully the crap out of the opposition defence with sheer force and pulchritude. Wenger will be keen to get Giroud back up to speed as quickly as possible, especially with Sp*rs and Moaninho United on the horizon, so it's not beyond imagination to see him get a run out tonight.

Xhaka could be called upon to add some passing ability in midfield - something sorely missed at the weekend - and with Cazorla injured for an undetermined period he has a second bite at the cherry to become a mainstay. Whatever lineup Wenger opts for tonight it will be peppered with experience, class, and youthful exuberance.

The Arsenal are favourites to win but we underestimate Reading at our peril. The last time we did that we had to fight back from 4-0 down. As much as another result like that epic 7-5 would be great to watch for the neutral I don't think Arsenal hearts could take it. However, with Jaap Stam as coach they may put defensive solidity as a priority although the Dutchman has said he wants to introduce a brand of football not too dissimilar to Arsenal's.

Whether Reading try to match us on a technical level or do a Middlesbrough there can be no excuses. This tie is there to be won, and handsomely.

lucas arsenal

LAST 3 meetings

Reading 1-2 Arsenal (18.04.2015—FA Cup)
Arsenal 4-1 Reading (30.03.2013)
Reading 2-5 Arsenal (17.12.2012)

FACTFILE

Arsenal's 7-5 win at Reading in October 2012 is the joint highest-scoring match in League Cup history (also Dagenham 6-6 Brentford in August 2014).
Reading have lost all 13 of their previous meetings with Arsenal in all competitions.
The Gunners have lost their past two home games in the League Cup. They have never lost three in a row at home in the competition before.
However, they are unbeaten in their past 27 home League Cup games against sides from a lower division (W24 D3), since a 1-2 loss against Walsall in November 1983.
The last two times Reading have reached this stage of the competition, they have been eliminated by Arsenal (losing 3-0 in November 2005 and 7-5 in October 2012).