Arsenal are firing on all cylinders at the moment, registering their fourth consecutive win in all competitions after a 5-1 rout of League One opponents Sunderland in the quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Credit to the Black Cats who did not come to the Emirates Stadium to shut up shop.
England U21 international of Nigerian descent Folarin Balogun made his first start in all competitions for the Gunners since the opening day loss to Brentford in the Premier League.
But there was no Arthur Okonkwo in the matchday 20, with manager Mikel Arteta opting to name Aaron Ramsdale on the bench as cover for goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Ghana-eligible striker Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead in the seventeenth minute, kneeing the ball in after Rob Holding's header was saved by Lee Burge.
Nicolas Pepe with the aid of a deflection made it 2-0 at minute 27 but Sunderland got themselves back in the game when Nathan Broadhead reduced the deficit.
Nketiah with a fine close range finish made it 3-1 three minutes after the restart and his third of the night was even better than his second, a glorious back-heel goal in the 58th minute.
The 18-year-old midfielder Charlie Patino lit up the Emirates Stadium when he netted a debut goal in stoppage time.
Balogun was replaced by Granit Xhaka in the 56th minute, shortly after he was yellow carded.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
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