Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reserved special praise for Aaron Ramsdale's "extraordinary" contributions following the Gunners' EFL Cup third-round win at London rivals Brentford.
Already going one better than last year, where they fell at the first hurdle to Brighton & Hove Albion, a Reiss Nelson goal propelled a second-string Arsenal to a 1-0 triumph at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Eddie Nketiah combined with his fellow academy graduate to conjure up the decisive moment with eight minutes on the clock, but the Gunners then had their backs against the wall for the majority of the second half.
However, Ramsdale - making his first start since before the international break - came up with a number of vital saves to preserve his side's clean sheet and - in typical fashion - enjoyed goading the Brentford fans who mocked him about losing his place in goal to David Raya.
Arteta was naturally hounded with questions about Ramsdale's display and situation in his post-game press conference, and he emphasised the fact that he was the one who pushed to sign the England international in 2021 amid backlash from some sets of supporters.
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"I don't think I'm the one to ask the quality of Aaron Ramsdale, because I was the one that brought him when everyone was questioning that decision," the Spaniard told reporters.
"Every player is very important, we have a lot of injuries as well, we have a lot of players that contributed. In football, it's about now, it's about the moment and today he had the opportunity to play, and he played a really good game.
"We love him more, for sure. We have him every day, we know him, we know his character, we know what he brings to the team, and we are really happy to have him."
Alongside Ramsdale's crucial stops, Arsenal were also indebted to the defensive work of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior, both of whom have only been fringe players in the 2023-24 season so far.
Kiwior - who played at left-back and centre-back during the contest - remarkably blocked a goal-bound Keane Lewis-Potter strike in the 84th minute, and Arteta name-checked his sporadic players when elaborating on Ramsdale's performance.
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"He's been exceptional around the place, with the situation and like everybody, like Jakub, he played really well, Tomiyasu, Jorgi [Jorginho], after what happened three days ago, he reacted and played a really good game," Arteta added.
"Reiss, who hasn't started many games, scoring the goal with Emile [Smith Rowe] and for Charles [Sagoe Jr], it was a big day for him – it's great to have an academy player with us. A lot of positives to take, and as always, a lot of things to improve as well."
Wednesday's clash also marked Emile Smith Rowe's first Arsenal start since the 2021-22 season, and while the playmaker was struggling towards the end of the match, Arteta allayed fears of another serious injury.
"He did [pick up a knock] but it wasn't because of that, we had to manage his minutes. His load has seen a big spike in the last two weeks as well, and he was struggling to finish the game, the same with Reiss," the Gunners coach added.
Arsenal have been drawn to face London rivals West Ham United away from home in round four and will now gear up for a Premier League trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Ben Knapton
