Arsenal's youngsters momentarily lifted the gloom after a horrid few months for the club, with speedy winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring the key goal in a 3-1 win against Shrewsbury in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old Oxlade-Chamerlain, an understudy to Theo Walcott, unleashed a blistering right-foot shot from 30 yards to put the Gunners ahead in the 58th minute against the League Two side.
He was Arsenal's stand-out player, making blazing runs down the right and landing dangerous crosses in the heart of Shrewsbury's penalty area at Emirates Stadium.
''You could see that he will be a first-team player at this club, that is for sure,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''He still has some things to work on, but very quickly he will knock at the door.''
Arsenal was initially a goal down in the match after James Collins' 16th-minute header for Shrewsbury, before Kieran Gibbs equalized in the 33rd minute. Oxlade-Chamberlain then put the home side ahead after receiving a pass from Emmanuel Frimpong in the 58th minute. He took one touch and lashed the ball past Shrewsbury goalkeeper Ben Smith.
Shortly after, Oxlade-Chamberlain had a penalty claim after TV replays appeared to show him being hacked down by a Shrewsbury defender. He nearly scored again in the 68th minute from a tight angle, but Smith pushed away his shot at the near post.
''He became stronger and stronger as the match went on,'' Wenger said. ''In the first half, he was a bit timid and suddenly he grew in stature in the second half. Unbelievable. What came out in the second half, you didn't expect. He became stronger and stronger.''
Yossi Benayoun scored a third for Arsenal in the 78th minute.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 90th minute, was born in Portsmouth, England and joined Arsenal over the summer from Southampton. Walcott also came to Arsenal from the same club in 2006 and the comparisons don't end there - both are known for their speed, tricky runs and adroit dribbling skills.
It was clear from the team sheet the League Cup isn't a priority for Wenger like it was last season, with most players drawn from the reserves or second-string.
Other problems are on Wenger's mind. Arsenal has only four points from five games in the Premier League, sitting in 17th place just above the relegation zone. Two of Arsenal's three defeats were humiliating, a 8-2 loss to Manchester United, and a 4-3 loss to Blackburn after leading twice in that match.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made his debut for Arsenal in the United match as a late substitute.
