Arsenal moved into the semifinals of the Carabao Cup as a solitary strike from Danny Welbeck edged a close encounter with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Nigerian starlet Chuba Akpom was named among the substitutes while Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi who was earlier deemed doubtful was eventually omitted.

The first period saw Arsenal control much of the possession but found a breakthrough hard to come easily, Theo Walcott heading wide from a Sead Kolasinac cross few minutes past the hour mark .

But Arsene Wenger's men were not to be denied a first half goal as Danny Welbeck prodded in the opener after West Ham had failed to clear their lines from a cross.

Ayew missed an early chance on resumption to pull level for the Hammers before Andy Carroll failed to get onto the end of a teasing cross in the closing stages as the Gunners sailed through to the next round.

Chuba Akpom was not summoned from the substitute bench for the duration of the game.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com