Unai Emery said his Arsenal side were “very consistent” in their comfortable Carabao Cup victory against Nottingham Forest.
The Reds, and more than 8,000 travelling fans, made the trip to the capital looking to cause an upset in the third round of the competition.
But it didn’t materialise as Sabri Lamouchi’s men were heavily beaten 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Forest were still well in the tie at half-time, trailing by just a solitary goal after Gabriel Martinelli scored after 31 minutes.
But four goals in the final 19 minutes saw the Reds bow out. Rob Holding, Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Martinelli all on the scoresheet.
“Really for different issues, the competition is important for us and one title, an opportunity for different players to take confidence and minutes,” Emery said in his post-match press conference.
“I think the game was for us in 90 minutes very consistent.
“Some different players gave us their performance and came back after injuries Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin. This was a good result, a good match, a good game.
“We can be positive for different options.”
Martinelli joined the Gunners in the summer and hasn’t played since the opening game of the season away to Newcastle United.
He got his first goals for the club at the Emirates.
“We were waiting and watching him, how he could improve with us,” Emery said. “He played very well in pre-season, he was working each training with a big spirit and performance.
“I spoke with him and told him to have some patience for his opportunity to do like he was doing. Tonight he did that. He deserved it.
“He is very humble, he fights, he’s hungry to have that opportunity to help us.”
