After a run of consecutive wins in the League and Europe, Arsene Wenger fielded a young and inexperienced team to take on West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup and will be delighted to have made it through.

A penalty shoot out win for the Arsenal is always very satisfying and the return to first team football for Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta is good news.

Bendtner Back with a Bang (of sorts)

All eyes were on Arsenal’s new number 23 at the Hawthorns as Nicklas Bendtner took the field for the first time since March 2011. Loaned out for the previous two seasons he had been thought to have played his last game for the club. He certainly made an impact midway into the first half on the West Brom goal, crashing himself into the post attacking a cross. He is back! At least he was trying.

This was one of very few memorable moments in the first half with both teams looking off the pace with a struggle to really get hold of the game in the middle of the park. Young Isaac Hayden was perhaps lucky to get away with just a yellow with a challenge on Mulumbu but was showing all the enthusiasm of a young player.

With five minutes to half time a half chance from a corner came and went for the Arsenal and nobody at the Hawthorns would have been displeased to hear the whistle to signal the break.

The Game comes to Life

On the hour mark West Brom’s Mulumbu forced Fabianski into a smart stop with a powerful strike. This joy of goalmouth action seemed to nearly cause the match commentator to have a heart attack but from here the action picked up.

Five minutes later, Nicklas Bendtner found Thomas Eisfield with a fine pass, who then neatly finished to put Arsenal into the lead. This was a reminder of the quality Bendtner possesses and if he gets himself fit and focussed, he has a great chance to be an important member of this squad.

He must look at his colleague Olivier Giroud, in what hard work and dedication can do a centre forward. The Frenchman looks a different player now to a year ago. Out of the two Bendtner is the more naturally talented footballer but he must apply himself and show more of these moments if he is to succeed at Arsenal.

Ten minutes later, West Brom equalised through Saido Berahino nodding in Steven Reid's ball. After ninety minutes it finished 1-1and extra time was to follow.

Extra Time and Penalties

If we saw the good of Nicklas Bendtner in the second half, we saw the worst in extra time. Through on goal and one on one with the keeper, it seems he has all the time in the world to put Arsenal through.

However, much too long was taken on the ball allowing West Brom defender Dawson to make a challenge. This was a rare chance to send Arsenal into the lead. For the time being he can be forgiven for a severe lack of match practise and at least he was getting in the position for the chance to be created. The Dane then went on to have his own Eden Hazard type moment as after being flagged offside, he crisply struck the ball at the West Brom ball boys. Perhaps the ref thought his intention was the goal as he went unpunished.

West Brom finished the second half of extra time strongly with Rosenborg and Sinclair wasting opportunities and the match would be decided by penalties. Fabianski did not have a save to make as misses from Craig Dawson and Morgan Amalfitano gave Nacho Monreal the chance to send Arsenal through to an exciting home tie with Chelsea in the next round. The Spaniard delivered with a clinical penalty to the joy of the away fans.

Momentum

Although not many of the starting eleven fielded tonight will expect to start against Swansea in Arsenal’s next league match, this result carries on the good feeling at Arsenal and with the current squad being light due to injuries, the young players turned up and showed they can step in if need be.

A London derby with Chelsea awaits the next round of the cup.

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