Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: Score, Reaction from 2016 EFL Cup 3rd-Round Match

Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 4-0 in the third round of the EFL Cup, as the north London giants cantered into the next phase of the competition at the City Ground on Tuesday.

Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for the Gunners with a blockbuster effort after 23 minutes, and two second-half strikes from new signing Lucas Perez sealed progression. A late goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wrapped up a perfect night for the visitors.

Arsenal remained in control for the vast majority of the contest, and it was a simple day at the office for the Premier League outfit.

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Gunners manager Arsene Wenger made multiple changes to his regular team, including prodigious talents Rob Holding and Jeff Reine-Adelaide while also playing senior players Xhaka and Gabriel Paulista.

Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner featured for Forest, supported in attack by Ben Osborn and Nicolao Dumitru.

Arsenal's official Twitter account tipped their hat to their former player:

The visitors were in control from the opening moments, but Forest appeared dangerous as they edged forward.

As the hosts found their way into the match, they were stung by a spectacular goal by Xhaka, who bagged his second long-range strike in as many games.

Journalist and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was in awe of the player's goals:

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Forest continued to show good energy levels during the first half, but the Gunners were slick with their passing and kept possession at will until half-time.

Arsenal clearly had thoughts of their upcoming match with Chelsea, taking their foot off the gas as they went about their work, but they managed to double their advantage as Lucas netted from the penalty spot.

The Spaniard grabbed his first goal for his new club after transferring from Deportivo La Coruna. Chuba Akpom was tripped by Michael Mancienne, giving the referee little choice but to call the spot-kick.

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The Gunners were composed as the minutes ticked away, and the gulf between the Premier League club and the Championship side was apparent.

Arsenal's youngsters were in fine form, and Lucas grabbed his brace as the Gunners' attack sliced through the Forest defence. The striker picked Mancienne's pocket and ruthlessly finished.

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Bendtner was substituted after Morgan mused about the former Arsenal player's career in north London:

Wenger will be pleased with how his young players handled the occasion, and they didn't appear fazed during any moment on the night.

The Gunners will believe they can go far in the competition with a hungry young side, rotating their youth prospects into the first team for EFL Cup duty.

Oxlade-Chamberlain made sure the Gunners grabbed the fourth goal they deserved, confidently burying his chance with the last kick of the game.

Post-Match Reaction

Lucas' performance delighted Wenger, as the striker scored his first goals for the Gunners. The club's official website quoted the Frenchman after the victory:

"

Of course, a striker is always growing when he scores goals and I felt that he has shown tonight - I liked his second goal because it was not only technique but it was determination, to fight for the ball and finish, I liked as well the part he played in the goal of Oxlade-Chamberlain because it shows that he can combine with other people and that he is an intelligent player.

"

The draw for the fourth round of the EFL Cup takes place after the conclusion of the third-round match between Northampton Town and Manchester United on Wednesday night.