Arsenal: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Dowman, Eze, Harriman-Annous
Subs: Raya, Gabriel, Saka, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice
Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Brighton 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta made ten changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Max Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous the standout inclusions – and one of four Hale Enders named in the starting eleven.
It was a milestone night for Dowman in particular who would become the youngest player ever to start a match for Arsenal (15y 302d).
FIRST HALF
Both sides had early efforts on goal with Carlos Baleba shooting from distance which was comfortably dealt with by Kepa, before Mikel Merino flashed over after being found well by Ethan Nwaneri.
Minutes later, Brighton should have taken the lead after Christian Norgaard was caught on the ball in midfield but Georginio Rutter saw his low effort saved after being played through by Stefanos Tzimas.
Tzimas then spurned a golden opportunity after a lightning quick counter from an Arsenal corner, but shot wide under pressure from Kepa although his first touch made the chance more difficult.
It was a mixed opening 20 minutes for the Gunners who lacked some cohesion and connectivity having made so many changes, but there was tangible excitement whenever Dowman got on the ball who was enjoying his battles with Maxim de Cuyper at left back.
Jan Paul van Hecke was the next Brighton player who should have broken the deadlock but somehow headed wide from a corner after Kepa got caught under the flight of the ball.
Arteta’s men were probably lucky to be level at half time, although there were some green shoots towards the end of the half with some dangerous moments from Dowman and Ebere Eze.
SECOND HALF
Dowman started the second half as he finished the first: by cooking De Cuyper who couldn’t handle the teenager one-v-one, showing great pace and trickery to beat his man almost every time he faced him.
But Brighton continued to hold a threat and Mosquera was needed at his best to stop Tzimas after Norgaard gave the ball away carelessly in midfield.
However, the deadlock was eventually broken after half time and it was Arsenal with the goal after a lovely move and probably their best spell of sustained pressure all game.
Eze did well to find Merino with a sharp ball inside, before the Spaniard played Myles Lewis-Skelly into space with a beautiful backheel, who then squared the ball for Nwaneri and his finish was typically clinical from the edge of the area. 1-0.
There was a nervy moment for Mosquera who got caught in possession just after the goal, but he was bailed out by his defensive partner Piero Hincapie who stood firm to block an effort from Yasin Ayari.
With 20 minutes to play, both managers made triple changes with Jurrien Timber, Gabriel and Bukayo Saka replacing White, Hincapie (who impressed on his first start) and Dowman.
Merino drew a good save from Jason Steele after rising highest from a corner, before the Gunners doubled their lead – through Saka – to put the game beyond doubt.
It all started from Timber who drove through the Brighton team like a knife through butter, with fresh legs and power before playing Harriman-Annous through on goal. His initial effort was saved by Steele but Saka was on hand to follow up and slot into an empty net, grabbing his first goal since returning from injury. 2-0.
Leandro Trossard nearly grabbed a third against his former side but struck the post from distance after working the ball nicely onto his left foot.
After a difficult first half, Arsenal were far more settled in the second and without being at their best were able to wrap the game up with much-needed moments of quality.
Another clean sheet and into the next round. Not a bad night at the office.
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