(Football news) The Carabao Cup quarter-finals saw Arsenal take on Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium with Mikel Arteta making nine changes to his starting XI, hoping that the momentum will help his side accomplish the desired result. Emile Smith Rowe returned to the lineup while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remained absent from the squad. Sunderland boss Lee Johnson named a strong side with just two changes from the team that drew against Ipswich Town last weekend with Elliot Embleton and goalkeeper Lee Burge being included.

The Gunners got the lead in the 17th minute when Eddie Nketiah showed his predatory instincts to score from a corner as Rob Holding’s header came into his path. The hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes later through Nicolas Pépé as the 26 year old combined well with Cedric and saw his effort deflected off Callum Doyle and into the back of the net. However, Sunderland managed to retaliate with a goal of their own as Alex Pitchard launched an attack in the 31st minute with Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton playing an integral role in the build up before Nathan Broadhead dinked it over Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. 

Unfortunately, Broadhead was forced to be substituted just before the break which nullified Sunderland’s attacking prowess. Arsenal regained control of the match as Nketiah scored his second of the night from Nuno Tavares’ cross in the 49th minute and got a hat-trick just before the hour mark from a Pepe assist. Mikel Arteta introduced 18 year old Charlie Patino and the youngster scored on his debut in the first minute of stoppage time to ensure Arsenal defeated Sunderland 5-1 and progressed into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. 

Speaking after the match, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta said "It's great. We're in the semi-finals and that's what it was about today. We started well and scored two goals, but then we started not to respect our basics too much and we suffered a little, but then we picked up our level after that in the second half and we won.

"Eddie does what he does in training every day, he puts the ball in the net. I think I've been very consistent with what I think about him, how much we like him and his contribution for us every time he plays is top. I want [him to stay], but he just wants more minutes. It's difficult to go against that, but as a club and personally I really want him to stay here. That's what we are trying to do, he's our player and a really important part of the squad."

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