Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bagged a brace to help Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over Reading in the fourth round of the EFL Cup this evening.

The England international scored in either half at the Emirates Stadium to take his tally to three in three since announcing that he may have to leave the club in search of first team football next term.

Arsenal were comfortable winners in the end in a match that inevitably did not match the excitement levels of their 7-5 win over the same opposition at this stage four years ago - a joint-record scoreline in the competition.

Alex Iwobi, one of just two players to retain his place in a much-changed side from last time out, tested Reading stopper Ali Al-Habsi inside the opening stages after being picked out by the returning Carl Jenkinson.

The hosts continued to knock on the door, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles coming close and Lucas Perez very nearly picking out Jeff Reine-Adelaide in front of goal, but the Gunners were made to wait.

Arsenal did have their breakthrough goal 12 minutes before the break, however, thanks to Oxlade-Chamberlain's surging run into the box and a sweeping finish into the bottom corner.

Reading, who have now lost all 14 meetings with Arsenal, did come close to pulling a goal back when Callum Harriott sent one narrowly over the bar, but Oxlade-Chamberlain also had a chance to make it two as he failed to convert when played through.

Olivier Giroud was introduced with an hour played for his first appearance in a month, coming close to making an immediate impact by sending a bullet header on target which Al-Habsi kept out.

This was to be Oxlade-Chamberlain's night, though, as he blasted a deflected shot into the net to double his scoring tally and already make this his best season in front of goal for the Gunners.

Emiliano Martinez was required late on to keep out a free kick from the visitors, though that was well kept out and Arsenal can now look forward to a quarter-final tie.