MY ACCOUNT
Eddie Nketiah was the hat-trick hero as Arsenal marched through to the EFL Cup semi-finals after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Sunderland.
The young striker continued his impressive record in the competition, with a trio of poacher’s finishes taking his tally to 10 goals in nine appearances.
Nicolas Pepe was also on target in the 27th minute for Mikel Arteta’s side, who secured their first appearance in the last four since 2017-18, with the win capped off by teenager Charlie Patino.
The Gunners did concede their first goal of this season’s EFL Cup courtesy of a neat Nathan Broadhead finish, but it proved a mere consolation for the League One outfit.
With 43 places separating the sides in the English football pyramid, Arsenal nearly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute; Nuno Tavares’ attempted centre deflecting onto the crossbar off Elliot Embleton.
But the hosts took the lead five minutes later. Lee Burge could only parry Rob Holding’s header from a Cedric corner, and Nketiah was on hand to scramble home the rebound.
Folarin Balogun went close before the Gunners doubled their advantage; Pepe playing a neat one-two with Cedric and his shot deflected in off Callum Doyle.
Sunderland responded well and halved the deficit following a quick counter that culminated in Embleton releasing the in-form Broadhead, who neatly lifted over the advancing Bernd Leno for his fifth goal in four games.
However, Arsenal restored their two-goal buffer within four minutes of the restart, Nketiah producing tremendous movement to turn home Tavares’ cross at the near post.
And the striker completed his hat-trick in exquisite fashion nine minutes later, as he delightfully back-heeled Pepe’s centre past a helpless Burge.
Patino put the icing on the cake in stoppage time when the youngster marked his senior debut with a neat first-time finish from Pepe’s centre.
What does it mean? Arsenal maintain dominant EFL Cup form
No other team has scored more goals in this season’s EFL Cup than Arsenal, who took their tally to 15 from four matches.
The hosts also recorded their 16th win from 17 games in the competition against sides in the third tier or lower.
Meanwhile Sunderland, who were appearing in the last eight for the first time since reaching the 2013-14 final, are now without a victory in 12 meetings with the Gunners.
Hat-trick hero Nketiah
Nketiah just cannot stop scoring goals in the EFL Cup, having taken his career tally into double figures with his star turn here.
He has also now found the net seven times in five appearances in this competition at the Emirates.
Nketiah’s hat-trick came from game-high tallies of six shots on goal and four efforts on target.
Pepe impresses
Pepe also produced an inspired performance for the hosts, helping himself to a goal and two assists for Nketiah and Patino.
The Ivorian was involved in a game-high 19 duels, while only Mohamed Elneny (43) bettered his tally of 35 passes in Sunderland’s half.
What’s next?
While Arsenal await the identity of their semi-final opponents, they switch their focus to the Premier League and a trip to Norwich City on December 26. The following day, Sunderland look to bounce back when they head to Doncaster Rovers in League One.
