Nervous Arsenal scrape past Doncaster after Theo Walcott’s neat finish

Theo Walcott scores Arsenal’s winner against Doncaster Rovers at the Emirates Stadium
The circumstances might have been low-key compared to Wenger-Ferguson duels of old, but the second generation of a legendary footballing family did his uptmost to ensure it was an edgy, vehemently competed affair as Arsenal squeaked past Doncaster. Darren Ferguson’s team gave Arsenal a fright as a contest that looked relatively comfortable in the first half turned into a nail-biter.
The Carabao Cup might not be a priority – and the lowest recorded crowd since Arsenal moved to the Emirates of 44,064 attested to a certain lack of enthusiasm in north London – but Doncaster and their merry followers were able to admire a battling performance that belied their position in the lower reaches of League One.
Even though Arsène Wenger tends to favour what he calls a “mixed” line-up in these less significant challenges on the season wishlist, it was a surprise to see Alexis Sánchez in the starting XI. Any kind of injury picked up in a game like this would have opened up a can of large worms. But from Wenger’s perspective the Chilean, who had an extended summer holiday, still needs minutes in his legs to regain full sharpness. His innate hunger to play manifested itself in a display full of chasing lost causes, darting runs and a thirst to shoot. Some players who warrant the Champions League platform might coast through a Carabao Cup run-out but not Sánchez.
It was his creative instinct that provided Arsenal with their goal midway through the first half. Theo Walcott ambled onto Sánchez’s crossfield pass and took a touch to control the ball before finishing with a neat dink past Ian Lawlor.
The home side probed fairly consistently throughout a first half notable also for the performance of Jack Wilshere. His first Arsenal start since May 2016 shone a light on the qualities he is capable of bringing to his team from the heart of midfield. Against opponents where there was space to look and think, Wilshere relished the opportunity to orchestrate, to spray passes with elan and to direct traffic with quick thinking and clear vision. He was not in a situation where he had to overstretch and overcompete, which suited him well.
Early on Wilshere and Olivier Giroud combined beautifully to conjure a chance that was centimetres away from a goal to savour. Wilshere’s chipped pass was perfect, Giroud adjusted his body to connect with a volley which bounced back off the crossbar.
Doncaster had a few encouraging moments in a first period where not too much damage was done and they had a few opportunties of their own.
Rodney Kongolo drifted into threatening positions and sent Arsenal keeper David Ospina scrambling to meet an early effort. The energetic Alfie May slashed a shot against the side-netting. Club stalwart James Coppinger enjoyed the big stage to lead with drive and determination.
Arsenal should have improved their lead after the break as they cantered away on the break. Wilshere and Giroud combined to tee up Walcott, who had the goal at his mercy. Lawlor appeared to get a vital touch with his arm, but the England striker should have found a more ruthless finish.
Doncaster were still in the game, trying to build some momentum of their own. It took a terrific recovery run and tackle by Ainsley Maitland-Niles to prevent May from bearing down for a one-on-one chance against Ospina, and both Wilshere and Sánchez felt compelled to track back to help out at the back.
Arsenal searched for the cushion of a second goal. Giroud appealed for a penalty and teenage debutant Reiss Nelson’s fizzing shot was clawed away. Such was Doncaster’s diligence, it did feel like the Premier League club needed another goal to be sure. John Marquis came on for the visitors and set about putting even more pressure on the Arsenal defence. When Maitland-Niles lost concentration, Ben Whiteman had a free run at goal. Rob Holding made a vital interception as Doncaster threw bodies up in search of the equaliser.
They were agonisingly close in the final stages. Substitute Liam Mandeville’s clever cut back and shot was deflected, and Matty Blair’s header hit the bar. Valiant efforts but not to be.

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