Arsenal kicked off their Carabao Cup campaign as they faced Bolton in the third round. Despite their recent early exits from this competition and the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta's team were determined to show that they can compete across all fronts. This match came on the heels of their intense draw with Manchester City, which has sparked ongoing discussions about the team's tactics.
Bolton currently occupies the 19th spot in League One following a challenging start to the season. However, they managed to secure a convincing victory against Reading in their last match, providing some relief for manager Ian Evatt.
Rice got Arsenal off to a great Start
The match commenced with Arsenal taking the kickoff. They seemed determined to launch their attack, particularly relying on their young players. Breaking through Bolton's defense required patience.
In the 5th minute, Bolton missed an early opportunity. Subsequently, Arsenal gained control of the ball and continued to press forward with their attacking efforts.
Raheem Sterling was expected to have a significant impact tonight as he made his first start for Arsenal. He showed great energy and determination early on, although he hasn't found his groove yet.
In the 25th minute, Nicholas delivered a cross into the box, causing chaos in the Bolton defense. The ball fell to Rice on the edge of the area, and he expertly placed it into the bottom right corner, giving Arsenal the lead with a composed finish.
Arsenal's Team for this fixture
Arsenal: Porter, Nichols, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Saka, Sterling, Jesus
Subs: Rojas, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Heaven, Partey, Havertz, Martinelli, Kabia
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