Arsenal vs. Reading: Score, Reaction from 2016 EFL Cup Match

Arsenal booked their ticket for the fifth round of the 2016 EFL Cup on Tuesday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Reading.

The England international gave the Gunners a deserved lead late in the first half and doubled his tally after the break, all but ending Reading's challenge.

As expected, the hosts made plenty of changes to their starting XI. Perhaps most noteworthy was the presence of Carl Jenkinson, who hadn't made an appearance for the Gunners in well over two years:

Bleacher Report UK reminded everyone what happened the last time these teams met:

Traffic issues and train cancellations meant the stadium barely filled up before the match, and Arsenal took control of proceedings from the opening kick. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jeff Reine-Adelaide almost set up Jenkinson for a dream start, but the full-back fired his shot right at Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

The stopper then left his line quickly to deny Lucas Perez, who fooled the defence with a great run, and Oxlade-Chamberlain failed to find a team-mate with his cross.

Reading were run off the pitch in the opening 10 minutes but survived the onslaught, and soon Arsenal's pressure decreased. The chances kept coming, however, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles came within inches of giving the hosts the lead.

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Emiliano Martinez made his first save after 21 minutes and easily denied Jordan Obita before Perez set Oxlade-Chamberlain through on goal, only to watch the young winger try to pick out Alex Iwobi instead of taking the chance himself.

Iwobi should have hit the target after Rob Holding kept a ball alive, but the youngster failed to trouble Al-Habsi, who didn't have to make all that many stops in the first half.

The Royals 'keeper was beaten by Oxlade-Chamberlain after 33 minutes, however, as his defence backed off far too much and the former Southampton man blasted home.

Per Squawka Football, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in superb form this season:

Arsenal remained in control of proceedings and were able to threaten via Iwobi, but Reading had one great chance to draw level before half-time, with Callum Harriot firing over the bar. The shot took a deflection and completely fooled Martinez.

The Gunners went looking for a second goal after the break, applying a tremendous amount of pressure, but Reading's defenders deal with the danger surprisingly well. Both Perez and Oxlade-Chamberlain found possession in dangerous areas, but they couldn't threaten Al-Habsi.

Reading boss Jaap Stam introduced Yann Kermorgant, knowing full well his team was still alive in this match despite Arsenal's clear dominance. 

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Complacency started to creep in for the hosts, and Kermorgant sent a first real warning shot with a powerful header Martinez had to deal with. Reading applied a bit of pressure of their own, and Obita dropped a dangerous cross into the box that no visiting player could connect with.

Olivier Giroud also made his way on to the pitch, and he tested Al-Habsi with a fierce header the goalkeeper only just cleared off the line. Al-Habsi also denied Oxlade-Chamberlain, who perhaps should have played in Iwobi instead of trying his own luck.

Arsenal badly needed a second goal to secure their position, and it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who again found the net thanks to a deflection, with Giroud doing well during the buildup. 

Per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, the match-winner left the pitch shortly after:

The goal effectively killed the tie as a contest, with Arsenal controlling the ball from that point onwards. Kermorgant threatened late with a free-kick, but Martinez did well to preserve his clean sheet.

As shared by Arsenal's official Twitter account, manager Arsene Wenger talked about the positive changes Oxlade-Chamberlain has made:

Arsenal will face Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, while Reading host Nottingham Forest in the Championship.