Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, beating Sunderland 5-1 at home. Eddie Nketiah was terrific for the Gunners, netting a hat-trick.Nketiah opened the scoring at Emirates Stadium in the 17th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after a combination of goalkeeper Lee Burge and US international Lynden Gooch had blocked Rob Holding’s header from a corner. But Sunderland scored with a great finish from Nathan Broadhead who lifted the ball over Bernd Leno moving forward. The Gunners doubled their lead in the minute 27 when Nicolas Pepe, making his first start in any competition since the previous round against Leeds, exchanged passes with Cedric Soares before sweeping home via a deflection. Nketiah regained the advantage of two goals, stealing a low ball from Nunotavares in the 49th minute, and after Pepe nutmeged Denner Hume and fired a low cross, he created a cheeky back heel finish to 4-1.
And there was even time for a fifth late on when youngster Charlie Patino tapped in on what proved to be a memorable debut for the 18-year-old.the match led by referee Kurt Ams hosted at the Emirates stadium.