Arsenal may be one striker down, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exiled from the first team, but Eddie Nketiah offered a timely reminder of his qualities to Mikel Arteta as he scored a hat trick to fire the Gunners past Sunderland and into the EFL Cup quarterfinals.
This competition has proven to be Nketiah’s hunting ground since his brace bailed Arsene Wenger’s side out against Norwich more than four years ago. He may never have consistently excelled in the Premier League, but ahead of a hectic festive fixture list, the 22-year-old has surely done enough to earn himself serious minutes
He may have departed with the match ball, but Nketiah was hardly the only Arsenal player who will feel their standing was enhanced against a Sunderland side who looked ready for better things than League One. Nicolas Pepe and 18-year-old debutant Charlie Patino also found the net, the latter on his senior debut, while Martin Odegaard continued his rich vein of form in a dominant display for the Gunners, albeit not one without wobbles.
Half an hour into the tie, they seemed to be cruising to the second round. Nketiah had scored in customarily predatorial fashion, finding himself on hand to knee in the rebound after Rob Holding’s powerful header had been saved. Pepe had marked his 100th appearance for the Gunners with a goal, smart interplay with Cedric Soares down the right before his fierce effort deflected high off Callum Doyle and into the net.
It could have been more; between the two goals, Folarin Balogun had twice spurned presentable opportunities in the box. Meanwhile, the pressure of Emile Smith Rowe and Odegaard had Sunderland pinned, at least until Alex Pritchard wriggled free through Arsenal pressure, unleashing a rapid counter that saw Elliot Embleton slipping through the ball at just the right moment for Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead. His finish was composure personified, lifting the ball…
Source : cbssports
