Israel captain Yossi Benayoun scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt as last season's losing finalists got their Carling Cup campaign under way with a 3-1 success over League 2 side Shrewsbury Town.
The visitors started well with an inswinging corner from Joe Jacobson headed just wide by Mark Wright.
An upset looked on the cards early on as the underdogs forged ahead through James Collins after 16 minutes at the Emirates, but Kieran Gibbs drew Arsenal level 12 minutes before the break.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the Gunners in front after 58 minutes following a Benayoun assist before the Israeli midfielder sealed the tie 12 minutes from time with a close-range finish.
Benayoun, who did not feature in Saturday's dramatic 4-3 defeat at Blackburn, played the entire 90 minutes, as did Jacobson.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Miquel, Oxlade-Chamberlain (sub: Aneke 90), Frimpong (sub: Ozyakup 77), Benayoun, Coquelin, Park Chu-Young (sub: Miyaichi 71), Chamakh. Subs not used: Martinez, Boateng, Yennaris, Watt
Shrewsbury: Smith, Grandison, Jacobson, Hazell, Goldson, McAllisteryellow (sub: Richards 72), Wright, Wroe, Ainsworth (sub: Taylor 78), Collins (sub: Bradshaw 72), Morgan. Subs not used: Neal, Leslie, Male
