Thursday, October 3, 2024

Report: Arsenal 5-1 Bolton (inc. goals)

Arsenal: Porter, Nichols, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Subs: Rojas, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Heaven, Partey, Havertz, Martinelli, Kabia

Arsenal eased into the Carabao Cup fourth round after beating Bolton Wanderers 5-1 at Emirates Stadium, thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri (2).

As expected, Mikel Arteta made eight changes to the side that drew against Manchester City on Sunday with Riccardo Calafiori, Rice and Bukayo Saka the only names to survive.

With Neto cup-tied, goalkeeper Jack Porter (16y 72d) was handed a start to become the second-youngest player to ever feature for Arsenal, while Sterling also made his first start for the club after joining from Chelsea on deadline day.

It was Bolton who had the first sight of goal after Calafiori was guilty of giving the ball away in a dangerous area, before John McAtee cut back for Scott Arfield who fired over from close range.

But after 15 minutes of sterile possession, the Gunners were ahead through Declan Rice who curled in brilliantly from the edge of the box after Arfield miskicked his clearance. 1-0.

Their performance had understandably lacked fluency until that point but one moment of quality from the England midfielder was enough to hand them a welcome lead.

Arsenal were close to adding a second shortly after when Sterling did well to beat his man out wide and float a cross to the back post – with Jesus attempting a spectacular effort from Saka’s header across goal – although his effort was intercepted.

Bolton did have the ball in the net when McAtee ran beyond the last line before finishing, although he was correctly ruled offside before Arteta’s men broke up the other end and doubled their lead.

Lewis-Skelly was given too much time in midfield and did brilliantly to split the visitors’ backline after sharp movement in behind from Sterling, who got his head up and found Nwaneri in the middle to slot home from six yards. 2-0.

It was a clinical move and another lovely moment for Nwaneri (17y 188d) who netted his first Arsenal goal – and in doing so became the club’s youngest goal scorer since Jack Wilshere vs Sheffield United in September 2008 (16y 288d).

There were further chances for the Gunners heading into half time with Sterling drawing a good save from goalkeeper Southwood, before Jesus did well to bump defender Ricardo Santos aside but struck his half-volley wide from 18 yards.

Just four minutes into the second half, Nwaneri found himself on the scoresheet again after Rice did well to intercept some loose Bolton passing into midfield, before freeing the teenager who slotted confidently beyond Southwood. 3-0.

Bolton did get one back through Aaron Collins who suddenly found himself through on goal after Arsenal were caught upfield from a corner. Jorginho couldn’t make up ground on the forward who rounded Porter before finishing into an empty net. 3-1.

Despite their goal, the Gunners never looked in real danger of conceding another and ended up finding another goal of their own when Sterling reacted quickest to tap home after good work from Saka. 4-1.

There were changes aplenty for both sides after that, with Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Maldini Kacurri and Gabriel Martinelli all coming on to stretch their legs on a rainy night in North London.

With ten minutes remaining, Havertz also reminded everybody that 65 million has indeed gone down the drain by scoring again – adding a fifth from close range after some penalty box pinball. 5-1.

After three difficult, emotionally and physically taxing away games in a week, this clash was a welcome change for Arsenal who were able to rotate their side and breeze through the cup against weaker opposition.

Key players were rested, others got valuable minutes and Hale End has proven itself again with a host of senior debuts – with Nwaneri proving himself to be the most promising of all.

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Johnny 4 Hats

It was quite weird. I watched the game on a CBS Sports stream. And they just didn’t mention Nwaneri at all. They were banging on about Sterling and talking a lot about Jackie P. And they seemed to really like Jesus. But Nwaneri was doing all this shit and they were just chatting away about how Odegaard was injured or the Rice red card.  And I was like “DON’T YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE???” Nwaneri (if he hadn’t already) completely announcing himself as one of the world’s most exciting young footballing talents. With emphasis on the balling. He’s going… Read more »

Dr. Gooner

I want to see him start against Leicester and Southhampton!

A different George

I had a Portuguese language stream (I think) mostly. Very insightful (I think). Maybe not. He was good at pronouncing Gabriel’s last name. Good enough for me.

Johnno

It’s almost as though modern commentators have no clue and are actually only there to create engagement and not honestly reflect on the game in front of them. Motty and Brian Moore didn’t die for that.

Joker

Loved every minute of that, comfortable, dominant and great minutes for the younger players. And oh my goodness, Nwaneri is so good.

Henkamp

Great run out for the likes of Sterling and Jeaus. You could see that they were rusty at the beginning but started to really get into it towards the end. Hope they get more minutes as that would be beneficial for us.

Jorginho’s Pirloesque pass are a thing of beauty.

Henkamp

*Passes

Dr. Gooner

The counterattack where he was in a perfect position to intercept (didn’t have to move, ball came to him) and then played a 30 yard pass onto Jesus’ foot… Bellissima!

Nacho de Montreal is tasty

Bellinghamissima! Just love the forced pun.

Phillygoon

Nwaneri – take a bow

Dr. Gooner

This is why it was ok to sell Smith.

Matthinc

You’ve been downvoted but that is literally what I thought after about 60 minutes

Dr. Gooner

Team looked like they were enjoying their football. I don’t mind Saka playing in retrospect, it was good to see him smiling again.

BillyKrystal

Yeah and so eager to set up the young guys which is a lot fun to see. I might need to drink a carabao if the vibes are this good

StuArse

Nwaneri reminded me of Wilshere, hope he continues to progress. Such intelligence. Lewis-Skelly – what a ball for the opener! Gabriel just has an ora now, he owns that pitch! Fun watch.

StuArse

Oh and I think Sterling is going to give us a little something different too.

Joker

Definitely similar to a young Wilshere in terms of his close control and ability to power forward with the ball, though he’s perhaps less individual in his style. He seemed to know exactly when to release the ball to avoid getting tackled from behind, something likely influenced by Arteta’s instructions and tactical style.

Dr. Gooner

The ability to know what’s around him before he gets the ball and thus seemingly instantaneously know the right action before he gets it. Sees pictures of what was and what will be on the football pitch without trying. Some call it pausa, some call it composure, many players never get it. He’s 17 and doing this for Arsenal! RARE talent.

Joker

Honestly I haven’t been this excited about a young player breaking through at Arsenal since Wilshere himself. I can’t wait for us to see more of him in the coming games.

Matthinc

Saka was pretty exciting, but I guess it was into a team that was struggling

Dr. Gooner

Saka never seems to get the hype he deserves. Nobody is talking about him for this game either. The most “ho hum” superstar in the game.

Guns Up

Given my limited exposure to Nwaneri, I’d seen his skill in previous appearances, but what struck me from tonight was his pace. He also pressed very well. Seems to really have it all.

turcofeo

Maldini Kacurri is one of the most badass names ever.

Tomi-Goji

He’s 18 and looks like mid 20s Kolasinac what a beast

Nacho de Montreal is tasty

Nobody will mug Nwaneri for his watch. He could sit behind the wheel and watch the destruction.

Daniel

The pressure though, you name your son after one of the greatest defenders and he ends up being a defender

Dr. Gooner

That’s it, I’m naming my son Bergkamp and hoping for the best.

Russ

Nice match, great to see the young lads play well. Sterling had a great game. Was really hoping Jesus would get a goal though.

Arsegeir

You read it here: the real talent here is Josh Nichols. When he gets his muscles, he’l run the world

Ebo

I definitely read that here.

Matthinc

I thought he was indecisive and a bit out of his depth – worst of all the youngsters

Dr. Gooner

I don’t want to be critical of a 17 year old making his debut, but… yeah. He’s got a long way to go.

Ricky

Totally agree, been impressed by him since preseason. He gives Bacary Sagna vibes if he can bulk up a bit

Swifty

The future is bright and I think you missed a trick by not mentioning everyone’s age. Swifty 53y 2d

chepetin

Good idea young man, and a belated happy birthday. Chepe 57y 129d

gooner

Swifty using some dark arts er?

Jay

Oh, happy birthday Swifty!

A different George

A 16-year old keeper seems a lot younger than a 16-year old winger or midfielder.

Matthinc

And he did alright all things considered

Fiachra

Less of a kid and more of an embryo

Unknown

Good to see youngsters get their kicks in and senior squad get a good midweek training session. Nwaneri is a baller. You can see how much he learned from Ødegaard, you can see it in his gliding movement across the pitch and passing. Sterling got to shake off rust as well. He can definitely contribute to this team. Callafiori performances for 2 games now, it’s official that Zinchenko is bench player now. Young keeper did well. Hopefully no injuries today.

Rich

Sometimes after weeks in and out of facing low blocks and cheating c*nts scrapping for every point, it is nice for the lads to remember why they love football. Not to downplay Bolton but for a lot of their lads just playing at the Emirates vs Arsenal will have been a reward in itself.

matt keeler

5 goals, and not a corner in sight.
Will the real Set-Piece FC please stand up?

Jedders

AUPC

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