Arsenal 1 Doncaster Rovers 0: Arsene Wenger relieved to survive against League One strugglers

Arsenal 
Arsenal were tested for the majority of the match Credit: pa

Sir Alex Ferguson might have enjoyed many famous wins against Arsene Wenger but is still unlikely to have felt more pride watching a match involving his old adversary than he did on Wednesday night.

Doncaster Rovers are currently 19th in League One but, with Ferguson’s son Darren relentlessly cajoling and encouraging from the touchline, genuinely stretched their more illustrious opponents throughout 90 highly competitive minutes.

A first-half Theo Walcott goal was ultimately all that separated the two teams and, with Arsenal actually pinned back for significant sections of the second-half, Doncaster had clear chances to force the game into extra time. “We’re proud of you,” sung a huge travelling contingent of Doncaster fans.

“We certainly got a performance – it was a fantastic learning curve,” said Ferguson Jnr. Wenger, who had personally organised tickets for Ferguson Snr, will have been rather less satisfied with an Arsenal performance that got the required result - and a fourth round tie at home to Norwich - but faded noticeably in its intensity and quality. The one big positive was a full 90 minutes for Jack Wilshere who, on his first Arsenal start since the end of the 2015-16 season, delivered flashes of his old midfield influence.

“I think it was ideal for him,” said Wenger.“You have to put this game into perspective. It wasn’t the intensity of the Premier League but it is important. He gained confidence and fitness.”

Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud almost scored with an acrobatic effort early on Credit: Getty images

Wenger was clearly also genuinely pleased to have had the chance to catch up with Ferguson Snr before the game. “I invited him,” he said. “Sport is very good like that - you fight against each other and with respect. He was a big personality in the Premier League.”

Ferguson Jnr had said that he wanted Arsenal to field a strong side so that his players would gain maximum experience, even if he might just have wanted to revise that view when he actually saw the starting line-ups. Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Alex Sanchez spearheaded Arsenal and there was also an abundance of international quality running through the positions behind.

Wilshere’s vision was quickly and almost spectacularly evident. After drifting into space just in front of Doncaster’s defence, he lofted a pass behind Giroud who, having famously scored with his ‘scorpion’ kick last season, tried something almost as audacious.

Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott lifts the ball over Ian Lawlor to score Credit: Getty images

With his back to goal, he unleashed an acrobatic left-footed overhead volley which actually beat Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor but cannoned off the cross-bar. Giroud then had a rather more conventional chance to put Arsenal into the lead but, after Wilshere and Reiss Nelson had exchanged passes, directed his header wastefully wide. Sanchez was having one of those nights where his influence was sporadic but still potentially deadly.

A scooped shot from an acute angle had earlier landed narrowly wide and then, having been fed by Mohamed Elneny, he instinctively picked out Walcott’s run into space behind the Doncaster defence. His subsequent pass was perfectly judged, allowing Walcott to bring the ball under control before lifting it over Lawlor.

Walcott then also had an excellent opportunity to double the lead. Wilshere had found Giroud after he peeled off down Doncaster’s right and his first-time cross was delivered invitingly into Walcott’s path, only for his attempted finish to be well saved by Lawlor. Doncaster remained disciplined and this became increasingly complimented by their attacking adventure throughout the second half.

The first really clear chance arose when Ben Whiteman pounced on lost Arsenal possession and found himself clear on David Ospina’s goal but allowed Ainlsey Maitland-Niles just enough time to recover the situation. Walcott had been forced off following a kick behind the knee, with Wenger even more concerned by a hip injury that is likely to sideline Calum Chambers for another fortnight.

Sanchez also still seemed very short of match fitness and appeared increasingly reluctant to chase back and help his team defensively. Wenger said that he had left him on because he still “needs competition” and Doncaster twice almost fashioned an equaliser in the final minutes.

First Liam Mandeville dribbled through much of the Arsenal defence but could only skew his shot wide and then, agonisingly, Matty Blair rose to head past Ospina but against the cross-bar.

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