Arsenal curry Sunderland with a very nice goal from Nketiah
Despite a reshaped team, Arsenal had no problem qualifying for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Sunderland (5-1), thanks in particular to a triple from Eddie Nketiah.
Although strongly overhauled, Arsenal had no difficulty in dismissing Petit Poucet Sunderland (D3) in the quarter-final of the League Cup (5-1) on Tuesday, with a triple of his ex-great hope on the departure, Eddie Nketiah. Relatively spared by the Covid-19, unlike many other English teams (three players who are not part of the usual starters are positive), the Gunners took advantage of this match to give their chance to certain players, such as Nicolas Pépé or Eddie Nketiah. The two sidekicks in the attack took advantage of it, scoring 4 goals.
Young people in the spotlight
The first two were only unspectacular, Nketiah taking up from close and knee a ball repelled by the goalkeeper for the 1-0 (17th) and while Pépé found the net on a deflected shot (2-0, 27th) . But the second and third goals of the international English Espoirs (17 caps, 16 goals), a deviation from the outside of the right (3-1, 49th) and a blow from the headscarf, on a cross from Pépé (4-1, 58th), were very well made.
But at the very end of the match, another very great club hope, Charlie Patino, came to their hearts by scoring the 5th goal (5-1, 90 + 1). Coach Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly regret the slackening in the defensive response which allowed the 3rd in League One (D3) to reduce the score by Nathan Broadhead, after a nice comeback of the fast ball (2-1, 31st).
But the results remain largely positive since the Londoners will be well in the last four, at the very beginning of January. The English Football League (EFL) has been called upon to play the semi-finals this year in a dry match and not in a return leg, to lighten the schedule, but no decision in this direction has been taken for the moment.
The first leg of the semi-finals is scheduled for January 4 and 5 and the return a week later. The other quarter-finals, which will take place on Wednesday, will pit Brentford against Chelsea, Tottenham against West Ham, who lost the four-time title holder Manchester City on penalties in the previous round, and Liverpool against Leicester.