Arsenal 2 Reading 0: Lucas Perez is not the answer to Arsenal’s striker problems… but Jeff Reine-Adelaide looks like another future star
Five things we learnt as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's double downed Jaap Stam's Royals at the Emirates Stadium
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ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN scored twice as Arsenal eased past Reading and into the next round of the League Cup.
The England winger struck in both halves as the Gunners outclassed their Championship opponents in an easy nights work at the Emirates.
SunSport took in all the action, and here are five things we learnt.
1. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs some guidance from Theo Walcott
THE Ox smashed in two fantastic goals, and was a thorn in Reading's side on the right-hand side all night.
But we've been here too often with the England winger, and while he has the odd good game, he then goes three or four without doing anything else.
Walcott seems to have gotten over that problem this year, and the Ox needs his experienced ear to help him out.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has all the attributes to be the first name of the team sheet for club and country, he just needs to show them.
2. Carl Jenkinson is a capable right-back if Hector Bellerin needs a rest
THE former West Ham loanee had not played for the Gunners for 898 days, but could be key in their Premier League title bid.
Jenkinson was solid at the back, and got forward at every opportunity. There were times he looked rusty and started to tire.
He could have even had a dream return after five minutes but his shot was well saved by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
Arsene Wenger now has options all over the pitch and if Bellerin is – good forbid – injured, then he can come in and do a job.
3. Jeff Reine-Adelaide looks like another future Arsenal star
PLAYING out on the left-wing, he was a constant threat throughout the first-half with his direct running, dribbling and eye for a pass.
Alex Iwobi broke into the first team last year and Reine-Adelaide looks like the next Gunners youngster to make his mark.
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He cost £2m from Lens in 2015, and looks the part, starring in a number of pre-season and League Cup games to date.
Reine-Adelaide isn't quite ready for the frantic pace of the Premier League, but he's more than good enough for the cup competitions.
4. Lucas Perez is not the answer to Arsenal's striker problems
THE ex-Deportivo forward was wasteful all night, and should have scored at least twice himself.
He messed up a simple pass to Reine-Adelaide who would have tapped in and his first touch was poor throughout.
The £17m man was subbed off in the second period with what looked like an injury, but Olivier Giroud returned to the cheers of the home crowd.
Perez is only just getting used to English football, but he has a long way to come before he is ready to be their star striker.
5. Reading's fans are a LOT better than their players
THEY sang all night, and brought thousands along from Berkshire on a cold Tuesday night at the Emirates.
The Royals tried and tried, but they just didn't have the quality to break down a sturdy Arsenal defence.
The Championship side have their chances, but in all honesty, were outclassed by players with international quality.
They head back into the Championship where they will be looking to get into the play-offs and back into the top-flight.
