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Arsenal are next in Premier League action on Boxing Day against Norwich City on the road. Sunderland return to League One action on 27 December against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Arsenal ease their way into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup with a 5-1 hammering of Sunderland this evening. Eddie Nketiah was the star of the show for the Gunners with a hat-trick, while Nicolas Pepe and debutant Charlie Patino also got on the scoresheet. Nathan Broadhead did net a first-half goal for the Black Cats to give them a glimmer of hope at 2-1, but Mikel Arteta's men upped the ante in the second half to put the visitors to the sword.
90' + 3' FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 5-1 SUNDERLAND
B. Mbunga-Kimpioka
R. Stewart
90' + 3' Kimpioka replaces Stewart for the closing stages of the contest.
N. Pépé
Assist
90' + 1' Pepe gets the better of Hume down the right flank and spots the run of Patino to score.
C. Patino
Goal
90' + 1' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!! PATINO NOTCHES A DEBUT GOAL!!!!! 5-1 ARSENAL!!!!!!! The youngsters caps off the night to mark his Arsenal debut with a goal. Pepe collects in space and offloads the ball into the penalty area for Patino to attack. He places his effort into the bottom-right corner away from Burge. What a moment for Patino.
90' There will be three minutes of added time.
89' OVER! Xhaka releases the run of Tavares in the left-inside channel and he capitalises on an error from Wright. However, the full-back loses his composure and sends his effort over the top.
C. Doyle
Yellow Card
86' Doyle slides in on Patino and goes into the book.
85' Nketiah goes down in the box amid pressure from Flanagan. He looks to the referee for a penalty, but the official awards only a goal-kick.
82' Martinelli and Wright have a clash of heads, but both players are fine to continue after treatment.
C. Patino
E. Smith Rowe
80' Patino makes his bow for the Gunners as he replaces Smith Rowe.
79' Sunderland are continuing to press the Gunners in the final third. There has been plenty of effort from the visitors tonight.
C. Evans
L. Gooch
78' Gooch is withdrawn for the Black Cats and replaced by Evans.
A. O'Brien
E. Embleton
78' O'Brien replaces Embleton for the visitors in the final third.
B. Wright
Yellow Card
76' Wright scythes down Martinelli with a poor challenge on the left flank and goes into the book. Arsenal have a free-kick in a good position.
75' SAVE! Pritchard hammers a strike towards the top-left corner, forcing a strong save from Leno. Embleton latches on to the rebound, only to scuff his effort wide of the target.
74' Gooch tries to step past Cedric, but gets brought down on the left flank. Sunderland have a free-kick in a useful position.
Gabriel Martinelli
M. Ødegaard
73' Martinelli enters the action to replace Odegaard in the final third.
Gabriel Magalhães
B. White
73' Gabriel makes his way on to the field to replace White in the Arsenal backline.
72' Nketiah tries to bundle his way through the Sunderland defence in the penalty after being teed up by Pepe, but Flanagan and Doyle converge to crowrd out the forward.
69' WIDE! Arsenal win a free-kick on the right flank as Doyle fouls Cedric. Odegaard goes for a curling strike towards goal, but his effort drifts just wide of the right post.
67' Tavares whips a dangerous cross into the box from the left flank, but it travels through the penalty area and away from Pepe on the right flank.
66' Odegaard tries to thread a pass through to Smith Rowe, but he just fails to take the ball in stride through the middle of the Sunderland defence.
64' SAVE! Hume fails to contain Pepe down the right flank as the Ivorian nutmegs him for the second time. He offloads back to Odegaard, but the midfielder sees his drive saved by Burge.
61' Tavares steers the ball into the path of Nketiah in the final third, but he just allows his touch to escape him and it travels through to Burge.
D. Hume
Yellow Card
60' Hume pulls back Pepe on the charge down the right flank and goes into the book.
N. Pépé
Assist
58' Pepe flicks the ball through the legs of Hume and then delivers a fine low cross into the box for Nketiah to convert.
E. Nketiah
Goal
58' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! NKETIAH COMPLETES HIS HAT-TRICK!!!!!!!! 4-1 ARSENAL!!!!!! The forward notches his third goal of the evening with a sublime backheel from six yards out. Odegaard threads the needle to release Pepe down the left flank and he leaves Hume in his wake with a nutmeg. Pepe supplies a fine low cross for Nketiah, who produces a special piece of skill to flick the ball past Burge. What a night for Nketiah.
G. Xhaka
F. Balogun
56' Xhaka replaces Balogun, who has had a frustrating evening for the hosts.
55' OFF THE POST! Embleton is inches away from dragging Sunderland back into the game. The midfielder cuts inside from the right flank and bends a strike towards the top-left corner. It beats the hand of Leno, but clips the outside of the left post and goes wide.
F. Balogun
Yellow Card
54' Balogun lunges into a challenge with Wright and goes into the book.
51' Pritchard feeds the run of Neil in the left-inside channel, but the midfielder takes a loose touch and Holding works the ball behind for a corner with a covering challenge.
Nuno Tavares
Assist
49' Tavares uses his pace and strength to burst past Embleton before supplying a cross for Nketiah to score.
E. Nketiah
Goal
49' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! NKETIAH POUNCES FROM CLOSE RANGE!!!!! 3-1!!!!! The Gunners restore their two-goal lead as Nketiah converts a low cross from Tavares at the near post. Tavares beats the challenge of Embleton down the left flank and drills a low ball into the middle. Nketiah gets ahead of Doyle and steers a strike past Burge.
49' Pritchard makes a break down the right flank and clips a cross into the box that evades the Sunderland shirts attacking the ball and heads out for a throw-in.
47' Stewart is back on his feet and returns to the pitch.
46' Seconds after the restart Balogun catches Stewart with an outstretched boot. The Sunderland forward goes down and requires treatment.
46' We're back under way at the Emirates Stadium.
Lee Johnson will be thrillled that his side are still in the game at the break. At one stage it appeared that the Gunners would romp towards a dominant win, but Broadhead's goal has given the home side something to think about. There's still a lot of work ahead of Mikel Arteta and his team to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Arsenal take a 2-1 lead into the break against Sunderland in their EFL Cup quarter-final clash. Eddie Nketiah was alert to fire the Gunners ahead after Rob Holding's effort was saved before Nicolas Pepe extended their advantage with a deflected strike. However, Sunderland responded through an effort from Nathan Broadhead to leave the game in the balance at the interval.
45' + 4' HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 SUNDERLAND
45' + 3' SAVE! White has to be alert to knock the ball away from Neil on the charge in the left-inside channel. From the resulting corner, Sunderland recycle possession before Pritchard sees a drive saved by Leno.
D. Hume
N. Broadhead
45' + 1' Broadhead has to make way for the visitors after scoring the goal to get them back into the contest. Hume replaces the forward, which will see Gooch move into the final third.
45' There will be three minutes of added time.
45' Broadhead is down for the visitors with an apparent hamstring injury. He may have to make way here.
44' SAVE! Smith Rowe latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Arsenal box and goes for a drive towards the bottom-left corner that Bruge has to punch away with a firm hand.
43' Arteta will be looking for more urgency from his team ahead of the break. The Gunners have been too casual since taking a two-goal advantage.
41' Pepe goes down under pressure from Flanagan in the Sunderland box as he wins the ball in the final third. However, the referee tells him to get to his feet.
40' Pepe takes possession on the right flank and is urged to shoot by the home fans, but he arcs his cross out of play for a goal-kick.
39' Johnson will be thrilled with the performance of his side since conceding the second goal. Arteta will be looking for composure from his team to regain control.
37' OFFSIDE! Flanagan will be relieved to see the offside flag after missing a sitter. Pritchard puts the ball on a plate from a free-kick on the right flank for the defender to attack. Flanagan plants his header wide of the right post with the goal gaping, but the flag goes up.
36' Flanagan is brought down by a combination of Tavares and Smith Rowe in the Arsenal half. The Black Cats have a free-kick in a threatening position.
34' CLOSE! Sunderland press once again at the Gunners. Winchester collects on the edge of the Arsenal box and sweeps a left-footed strike towards the bottom-left corner, but Leno gets down to push it wide of the left post.
32' SAVE! White lifts a ball over the top of the Sunderland defence for Nketiah to race in behind. He tries to lift a strike over the onrushing Burge, but the keeper makes a fine stop with his head.
E. Embleton
Assist
31' Embleton makes a good run and feeds the run of Broadhead with an incisive throughball that the forward finishes.
N. Broadhead
Goal
31' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! BROADHEAD GETS ONE BACK!!!! 2-1!!!! Sunderland are back in the game through Broadhead with a clinical finish. The Black Cats win the ball in the centre circle and Embleton releases the run of Broadhead through on goal with a fine throughball. The forward beats White for pace and clips it over the top of Leno and finds the net.
29' Sunderland have to be careful here. They're playing with a high press and there is a lot of space for Arsenal to attack in behind.
Cédric Soares
Assist
27' Cedric speeds down the right to provide an overlap for Pepe before returning the pass for his team-mate in space to score.
N. Pépé
Goal
27' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! PEPE FINDS THE NET!!!!! 2-0 ARSENAL!!!!!! The Gunners double their lead as Pepe sees his effort deflected past Burge. Pepe and Cedric combine down the right flank to great effect, which sees the wing-back pick out the Ivorian free in the middle. He drills a strike towards the target that takes an unfortunate deflection of Doyle and flies into the roof of the net.
26' OVER! Holding does well under pressure from Stewart to clear the danger from Gooch's dangerous cross before Wright blazes his strike over the bar.
23' SAVE! Doyle gives the ball away on the edge of his own box and it allows Smith Rowe to feed Balogun in space. The forward goes for a strike, but he sends a tame effort straight at Burge.
22' CHANCE! Balogun should double Arsenal's lead. Pepe feeds Cedric down the right flank and he whips a fine cross to the back post. Balogun gets there ahead of Winchester, but directs his header wide of the left post.
L. Gooch
Yellow Card
20' Gooch lunges in on Pepe and goes into the book.
19' BLOCK! Pritchard forces a low ball into the Arsenal box from the right flank, but Stewart sees his backheel towards goal blocked by the boot of White.
E. Nketiah
Goal
17' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! NKETIAH IS ON THE SPOT FOR ARSENAL!!!!! 1-0!!!! The Gunners take the lead as Nketiah pokes home from close range. Cedric curls a dangerous cross into the box that Holding powers towards goal. Burge makes a good reaction stop, but Nketiah is alive to the rebound to fire Arsenal in front.
17' Odegaard curls a dangerous cross to the back post for Tavares to attack, but Burge turns it behind for a corner.
16' Pepe goes down under pressure from Stewart and Arsenal are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position.
15' Tavares surges down the left flank and supplies a dangerous cross into the middle. Pepe lurks at the back post, but Gooch clears ahead of the forward.
14' Gooch tries to clip a ball over the top for the run of Broadhead, but it skips off the surface and through into the hands of Leno.
12' OFF THE BAR! Embleton nearly score a sensational own goal as he cuts out Tavares' pass and the ball loops over Burge. Fortunately for Sunderland it strikes the bar and bounces away from goal before Pepe sees his strike deflected over by Wright.
11' Winchester has space down the right flank and Broadhead in the middle in support. However, the wing-back sends a tame pass into the box that White intercepts.
10' Arsenal are looking for rhythm in their passing game. Balogun, Nketiah and Pepe are not quite clicking yet.
8' Doyle angles a free-kick into the box from the left flank and Stewart rises to head into the box, but it bounces safely into the hands of Leno.
6' OVER! Nketiah rises to attack a cross from Cedric in the box, but he can only guide his header over the bar.
6' Stewart goes down under pressure from Elneny as he chases a ball into the box. However, the referee dismisses his claim for a penalty.
4' White tries to float a ball down the right flank for the run of Pepe, but the Ivorian moves too soon and is caught offside.
3' SAVE! Gooch sees a cross deflected into the path of Pritchard, who turns on the edge of the box, but sees his low strike saved by Leno.
1' We're under way at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Sunderland in all competitions (W8 D3) since a 2-0 loss in the FA Cup fifth round in February 2012. This is the first meeting between the sides since May 2017, a 2-0 win for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Sunderland have made two changes from their side that drew against Ipswich in League One last time out. Burge continues in the EFL Cup to replace Thorben Hoffmann, who misses out for the Black Cats tonight. Leon Dajaku suffered an injury against the Tractor Boys at the weekend and has been replaced by Embleton in the middle of the park.
Arsenal have made nine changes to their side from their win over Leeds last time out. Only Odegaard and White retain their places in the starting line-up. Leno takes over the gloves from Ramsdale, who drops to the bench. Cedric, Tavares and Holding slot into the back four alongside White. Elneny comes into the midfield, while Pepe, Nketiah, Smith Rowe and Balogun get the nod in the final third.
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Corry Evans, Aiden O'Brien, Dennis Cirkin, Arbenit Xhemajli, Anthony Patterson, Ollie Younger, Denver Hume, Cieran Dunne, Benjamin Kimpioka.
SUNDERLAND (3-4-3): Lee Burge; Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan, Callum Doyle; Lyndon Gooch, Carl Winchester, Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton; Alex Pritchard, Ross Stewart, Nathan Broadhead.
ARSENAL SUBS: Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsdale, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli, Charlie Patino.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Cedric Soares, Rob Holding, Ben White, Nuno Tavares; Martin Odegaard, Mohamed Elneny; Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah; Folarin Balogun.
Sunderland have progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2013/14 season when they reached the final of the EFL Cup. On that occasion the Black Cats were beaten by Manchester City in the final, despite taking the lead through a Fabio Borini strike. Since tumbling down the tiers, the Wearsiders have not been competitive in the cup competitions. Lee Johnson has guided the club through to the last eight after overcoming Port Vale, Blackpool, Wigan and Queens Park Rangers. Their recent form has been solid, losing only one of their last eight matches in all competitions, but it will take a special performance to reach the semi-finals.
Arsenal have a huge opportunity tonight to reach the last four of the EFL Cup for the first time in four years. The Gunners have been rampant in the competitions to date, sweeping aside West Brom, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds to reach the quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta's men enter the contest on a three-game winning run after easing past Leeds in the Premier League last time out by a 4-1 margin. Arsenal will not want to slip up against the League One outfit tonight.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the EFL Cup quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
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