Arsenal vs. Shrewsbury: Oxlade-Chamberlain and Benayoun off the Mark

Arsenal recovered from a slow start Tuesday night to beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1 in Carling Cup action.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yossi Benayoun both scored their first goals in Arsenal colors, helping their team turn a 1-1 halftime draw into a 3-1 Gunners win.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, an 18-year-old forward, put Arsenal in front with his long-range goal in the 58th minute.

The goal came after a spell of possession in which Arsenal tried to break down Shrewsbury's packed defense. Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up the ball in the midfield and let fly with his shot from more than 30 yards out.

The shot crossed the face of the goal and beat the Shrewsbury keeper low at the far post.

Here's what he told Arsenal.com after the match.

"

I received the ball, it opened up for me and I thought I would try my luck. Luckily enough it went in and I’m delighted.

I haven’t been on the bench as much as I would have liked recently and that is due to some quality signings. I forgot what it felt like to be out there.

I came back here before the game this evening, walked out on the pitch and realised what a big stage it is.

Straight away I was excited about the game and it was brilliant to be involved. I gave it my all tonight and I hope I did well.

"

Benayoun got his first Arsenal goal 20 minutes later after nice work from Kieran Gibbs and Oguzhan Ozyakup. With the ball centered to him in front of the Shrewsbury goal, Benayoun could hardly have missed.

All this came after Arsenal fell behind in the first half. James Collins scored for Shrewsbury in the 16th minute before Gibbs equalized with a powerful near-post header in the 33rd.

Here's what Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said about the first half.

"

I’m not sure they (Shrewsbury) dominated the first half, if you look at the numbers again you will see they didn’t dominate the game.

They created dangerous situations. It’s always difficult to beat a football team, no matter what division they play in.

They knocked Swansea and Derby out and you can see why. They are top of their league.

"