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Arsenal advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a convincing 5-1 victory over Sunderland, thanks to a hat-trick from Eddie Nketiah.
With a trio of poacher’s finishes, the youthful striker brought his tally to ten goals in nine outings in the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side also got a goal from Nicolas Pepe in the 27th minute, securing their first appearance in the final four since 2017-18, with teenager Charlie Patino completing the rout.
The Gunners did surrender their first Carabao Cup goal of the season, thanks to a beautiful Nathan Broadhead finish, but it was only a consolation for the League One side.
Arsenal came close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute, when Nuno Tavares’ attempted center was deflected against the crossbar by Elliot Embleton, with 43 places separating the sides in the English football pyramid.
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 square ball.
What does it mean? Arsenal maintain dominant Carabao Cup form
No other team has scored more goals in this season’s Carabao 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 Carabao 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 on December 26.
The following day, Sunderland look to bounce back when they head to Doncaster Rovers in League One.
