Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto made his full Arsenal debut in his side's 2-0 win over giantkiller Grimsby Town in the fourth round of the Worthington Cup on Tuesday.
Inamoto, whose only previous appearance for the Gunners had been as a substitute in the Champions League in September, made a nervous entry into English soccer but an understrength Arsenal cruised through after goals from Brazilian Edu and French striker Sylvain Wiltord.
Inamoto was largely anonymous in the first-half against a second-division side that had knocked out Premier League leader Liverpool in the previous round, but gained confidence as the game wore on before coming off late in the game.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who also gave debuts to two teenagers, Brazilian left-back Juan and Danish midfielder Sebastian Svard, praised Inamoto's efforts after the break.