A serviceable win today, with the first half hour making the difference.
Reasonable line-up, but for pubbers Iwobi and Niles, finally getting played somewhere near his correct position, in the first eleven. More pubbers filling out the bench as well, so a lot of pressure on the starters to finish the job before the magical 70th minute. Three at the back was dumped again and TOF reverted back to type.
The Swedes sat back in numbers whilst we had our standard slow sideways and backwards play. They almost caught us on the break, with a rash tackle from Mustafi being given our way. Welbeck missed a chance soon after.
A mistake from their keeper was snuffed out, but he spilled another shot a couple of minutes later leaving the ball for Monreal to mercifully break the deadlock. Then midway through the first half, with their defence 'doing an Arsenal' and making suicidal passes in the area, a cross sent in was handballed in by a defender for our second.
Östersunds started to come into the game after half an hour, with a couple of shots, forcing Ospina into a save. They had a free kick near the end of the half, forcing another save, then another defensive lapse let them get another shot away. Mkhitaryan shot over in stoppage time. A pretty dull half, considering.
The Swedes shockingly made two changes at half-time. Isn't there something about bringing of subs before 70 minutes and for tactical reasons to boot?! Östersunds started brightly, but thankfully Ozil put the win on the night beyond doubt just before the hour mark.
We made our token post 70 substitute, Monreal off for Kolasinac; like for like. More token subs made, blah, blah, blah. The rest of the game was dull and we held on for the win, despite that stupid cúnt Bellerin giving away a penalty in stoppage time, which was saved by Ospina. Suck on that, Cech.
Even these cup games are a chore to watch, sadly. Either due to deliberately weakened sides or our almost standard lacklustre performances. Still, at least The Old Fraud has a good reason to wear his winter coat for a change. It's not seeing him freezing his arse off on the Kazakh Steppe, but I'll take it. It'd be great to win this cup, but TOF has an allergic reaction to European trophies.
We bulldozed Highbury for moments like these
You mean they've left you Speechless!!!? 
Nice one Arsene
