After a narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford, Arsenal have set a fourth-round clash against West Ham in the Carabao Cup. Reiss Nelson’s early goal was the highlight of the match, ensuring the Gunners bounce back from a hurting North London Derby that ended up in a stalemate.
Mikel Arteta reshuffled his first XI considerably for the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium. Notable absentees due to injuries were Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.But it is highly doubtful if any of the duo would have started anyway . Emile Smith Rowe and Nelson stepped up in the attacking front, with the latter’s goal making a difference. A noteworthy event was a young, Charles Sagoe Jr, marking his debut for the Gunners.
While the match wasn’t among the season’s most electrifying, Arsenal began with verve but had to revert to a defensive posture as the game progressed. Despite Kai Havertz’s ongoing challenges on the field, the defensive duo of Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu proved solid. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, rejoining the team for this game, made crucial saves, maintaining Arsenal’s slender lead and their shot at the fourth round.
Reflecting on the game, Arteta expressed satisfaction, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the competition: “It’s all or nothing here. We saw two contrasting halves of football. We became too direct in the second half, making the game tougher and forcing us into constant defence. Big defensive moments saved the day when our overall play wasn’t top-notch.”
Arsenal Will Now Play West Ham In The Fourth Round
The announcement for the upcoming Arsenal-West Ham clash came after Manchester City’s surprising 1-0 loss to Newcastle. Arteta’s men have not squared off David Moyes-led West Ham this season, but the Hammers will be their first opponents on Boxing Day.
Given West Ham’s impressive performance this season, the forthcoming tie won’t be easy for the Gunners, especially if Arteta opts for another round of squad rotation. The competition’s nature suggests that big names like Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Chelsea could have been potential opponents, but the Gunners will now need to gear up for a challenging duel with the Hammers.
The fourth-round fixture, set in East London, will take place on 30th October.
By kootx