- Arsenal advance to the last four of the Carabao Cup after West Ham win
- Welbeck goal in the first half the difference between the two sides
- Focus will now switch to Friday’s showdown with Liverpool in the Premier League
- READ MORE: Good news for Liverpool, Arsenal fans are terrified over crucial battle on Friday
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Ham United at the Emirates on Tuesday night in their League Cup quarter-final meeting.
Danny Welbeck’s goal in the 42nd minute was all that separated the two sides, and it was a scrappy finish with the England forward tapping home from close range.
Nevertheless, he’ll be delighted to get back on the scoresheet while the Gunners advance and move closer to landing a trophy this season.
It wasn’t a particularly memorable game though, as the stats would suggest. Arsenal had one shot on target, which they scored with, while the visitors had none.
The only sour note on the night from a Gunners perspective was the injury suffered by Olivier Giroud, who looked to have pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced in the 76th minute.
Whether or not Arsenal go on to win the competition remains to be seen as there are other Premier League giants still involved, but Arsene Wenger will be pleased to progress as the attention now switches to Friday’s league meeting with Liverpool.
Arsenal player ratings: Ospina 7; Debuchy 7, Chambers 7, Holding 7, Kolasinac 7; Coquelin 8, Willock 7, Elneny 7; Walcott 6, Giroud 6, Welbeck 8.
Substitutes: Nelson N/A, Sheaf N/A, Da Silva N/A.
As per the statistic below, it was Welbeck’s first goal in this competition since October 2009, dating back to when he was still a Man Utd player.
Wenger will certainly be hoping that he can add to that tally as while he continues to rotate his squad and Welbeck edges closer to full fitness, he’ll likely be handed a prominent role in the remaining cup run, particularly if Giroud is sidelined for a while.
Danny Welbeck has scored his 1st EFL Cup goal since Oct 2009, Man Utd’s 2-0 win at Barnsley (a game in which @GNev2 was shown a red card) pic.twitter.com/wAp1JxBYIO
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 19, 2017
Naturally, Arsenal fans were pleased to reach this stage of the competition for the first time in seven years, with many applauding the efforts of many of the back-up players. For others, they wasted little time in switching their attention to matters on Friday against Liverpool and strangely Mesut Ozil’s contract situation which is still a big talking point.
The German international will see his current deal expire at the end of the season, and so with the threat of losing him for nothing looming large over Arsenal, fans are desperate to see a new agreement reached between the two parties.
Super, now announce Ozil’s new contract
— Lacazettes (@Lacazettes) December 19, 2017
60% possession and a win. Not a bad reserve side. Awaiting the semis
— P™ (@Cechque) December 19, 2017
Coquelin MOTM
— Mikey?? (@Coquelinesque) December 19, 2017
Good win! Now announce Özil’s contract lads.
— ?Ra’id?????? (@MesutsTouch) December 19, 2017
Good now announce ozil
— G (@ThierryGotWings) December 19, 2017
Chambers, Debuchy and Willock were very impressive ??
— Phetogo Siane (@PHE2GO_S) December 19, 2017
Good game, nice result and a lot of youngsters getting a chance. ??? shame about @_OlivierGiroud_ hope he comes back soon and stronger. Coquelin MOTM
— Arsenal Viking (@iSommansson) December 19, 2017