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Arsene Wenger delighted with 'luxury' of his multiple attacking options as he targets a first EFL Cup triumph

Wenger has never won the EFL Cup but believes he has the squad depth to do so this season

Tuesday 24 October 2017 07:33 BST

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal's attacking options make them stronger this season (Getty)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is relishing the "luxury" of the multiple attacking options he hopes will enable the club to compete across all competitions this season.

Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil started together for the first time in the 5-2 Premier League rout of Everton last Sunday, while Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere were on the bench.

As Arsenal prepared to face Norwich City in the fourth round of the League Cup later on Tuesday, Wenger said the talent at his disposal would enable him to rotate his front line without any dilution of quality.

Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

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1/22Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Joel Robles - 6 out of 10

Was left badly exposed by his defenders for both of Arsenal's goals, and wasn't called upon to make many clear-cut saves otherwise. 6

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Seamus Coleman - 7 out of 10

Provided Everton's main attacking threat with his willingness to get forward down the right and consistent delivery. 7

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Phil Jagielka - 7 out of 10

Was left stranded by his defensive partner for the Welbeck goal, but very solid otherwise. Missed a wonderful chance to pull a goal back. 7

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Ramiro Funes Mori - 5 out of 10

Was drawn out of position easily for the first goal, and left for dead by Iwobi after losing possession for the second. 5

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Leighton Baines - 5 out of 10

His delivery from both a dead ball and open play was uncharacteristically erratic, and was caught out defensively on several occasions. 5

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

James McCarthy - 5 out of 10

Find it tough going against an Arsenal midfield on top form as the Everton midfield struggled to keep possession.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Muhamed Besic - 5 out of 10

Forced a low first-half save from Ospina, but should have conceded a penalty and his weak tackle led to the second goal. Subbed at half-time.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Aaron Lennon - 5 out of 10

Started brightly and got into some good positions, but his final ball let him down.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Ross Barkley - 5 out of 10

Failed to exert much influence on the game, and struggled to provide a much-needed link between the midfield and Lukaku before being substituted.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Tom Cleverley - 6 out of 10

Provided some bright moments in the first half and was full of running.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Romelu Lukaku - 6 out of 10

Was left isolated by his midfield – the rare moments on which he did threaten were confined to the flanks.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

David Ospina - 6 out of 10

Only really needed to make one proper save, from Besic in the first-half. Recovered well from a horrible-looking clash with Lukaku.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Hector Bellerin - 8 out of 10

Marked his 21st birthday with a fine display, threatening with his pace and getting forward tirelessly. His fine first-time pass set up Iwobi's goal.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Gabriel - 6 out of 10

Started shakily, and never quite looks convincing, but got the better of a physical battle with Lukaku.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Laurent Koscielny - 7 out of 10

Mopped up well after a couple of Gabriel's less assured moments, and was solid and composed throughout.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Nacho Monreal - 7 out of 10

Provides the ideal foil to Bellerin – unflappable defensively, and got forward on occasion to offer an attacking threat of his own.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Mohamed Elneny - 7 out of 10

Combined well with Coquelin to keep the Everton midfield quiet – fine defensively and intelligent in possession.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Francis Coquelin - 7 out of 10

Typically solid and unflustered in front of the back four against an Everton midfield that lacked ideas.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Alexis Sanchez - 8 out of 10

Looked to be approaching something like his best: set up Welbeck's goal brilliantly, should have had a penalty and was sharp until the final whistle.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Mesut Ozil - 8 out of 10

His interplay with Sanchez created Arsenal's wonderful first goal, and was typical of a performance in which the German pulled the strings throughout.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Alex Iwobi - 9 out of 10

By no means the finished article, but a superb Premier League debut from the 19-year-old. Quick, direct and skilful, and took his goal with aplomb.

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Everton vs Arsenal player ratings

Danny Welbeck - 8 out of 10

Was Arsenal's biggest threat in the first half and took his goal with great composure, but faded slightly in the second half.

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“That's the luxury I have at the moment and the difficulty I have as well,” Wenger told the club's website.

“All these players do well, play well and they deserve to play.

“Fortunately, we have important games every week, so I can give competition to everybody. We have so much offensive force on the bench as well. It's really a strong point of the club at the moment.”

Arsenal's attack will further be boosted when striker Danny Welbeck and midfielder Santi Cazorla return from their respective injuries.

 Cazorla has not played for Arsenal in over a year  (Getty)

In over two decades at Arsenal, the Frenchman has yet to win the League Cup but believes the current squad depth will allow the club to challenge for the trophy.

“I always focus on winning trophies in the Premier League and FA Cup domestically, and always used the League Cup as an education for our young players," Wenger added.

“But with this team I have the squad to go further, so let's see. Let's focus on winning the match against Norwich and then we'll see where we will go.”

Reuters

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