Danny Welbeck scored twice as Arsenal beat Brentford 3-1 in the Carabao Cup
Wednesday 26 September 2018 23:12, UK
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery would not be drawn on the futures of Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey after their 3-1 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Welbeck scored twice at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night to seal their place in the fourth round and, like Ramsey, he is in the final year of his contract with the Gunners.
Emery, however, insists his only interest is in the team and it is up to the club and the players themselves to deal with the situation.
"My focus is the team," said Emery. "I know they are in the last year of their contracts and they are speaking with the club but for me the focus is only on the performance in each match.
"The performance and the commitment of the players is very high, with Aaron and Danny Welbeck. The situation is for the club and for them.
"But I am very happy with Danny Welbeck. He gives us quality and commitment every day. When he's playing with a performance like today he's helping the team and it gives us more [choices for the first 11] in the next matches."
Alan Judge pulled a goal back with a fine free-kick in the second half but it was otherwise a relatively straightforward evening for Arsenal, who sealed the game in stoppage time thanks to substitute Alexandre Lacazette's strike.
"We are happy," continued Emery. "Today was a good match and a good 90 minutes to continue working on our tactical things and it was also good for the confidence of the players.
"The result is very important for us and all the things that happened are good for continuing our improvement and helping the players with their performances.
"Each match is very important for any player to show us and every supporter their performance and tonight was good from every player."
Emery also commented on the performance of Emile Smith Rowe, the 18-year-old who was handed a first start on Wednesday night before being withdrawn for Lacazette in the second half.
"He is improving," said Emery. "He grew up in the academy with us and in pre-season. Today he worked very well but he needs to improve his confidence and his calmness with the ball.
"He arrived in the box twice in the second half in a very good position and he needs to improve in those situations. But he played a good game today."
