Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah continued his prolific form in the Carabao Cup as he scored a clinical hat-trick to help his side beat League One side Sunderland 5-1 and help them book their spot in the semi-finals.
The forward turned in from close range to open the scoring after Rob Holding’s header was palmed into his path. Nicolas Pepe soon doubled the lead to make it 2-0. The League One side was not willing to go d9wn without a fight as Nathan Broadhead coolly clipped over the onrushing Bernd Leno from Elliot Embleton’s superbly-weighted pass. The goal became a consolation goal as it was the only goal from the away side.
Nketiah soon doubled his goal as he cleverly turned in a low Nuno Tavares cross straight after the break to re-establish the lead. The 22-year-old completed his hat-trick as he flicked Pepe’s pass between his legs and beyond goalkeeper Lee Burge. The goals kept coming as Arsenal’s 18-year-old debutant Charlie Patino then capped a superb night for the Gunners with a late fifth goal to round up the scoring.
The League One side was competitive but, despite Embleton curling against a post from distance, they struggled against the English Premier League side, they failed to stop Arteta’s men. Arsenal will know their last-four opponents on Wednesday when the draw takes place after Tottenham host West Ham.