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Arsenal teen Charlie Patino scores on debut as clinical Eddie Nketiah grabs hat-trick in Sunderland rout

Sam Dean
·16-min read
Arsenal - GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal - GETTY IMAGES

  • Arsenal prove too strong for their League One opponents

  • Nketiah puts on finishing masterclass for close range hat-trick

  • Pepe marks return to side with a deflected goal

  • Patino becomes first Arsenal academy product to score on debut since 2009

Arsenal fans know better than most that there are few sights more invigorating in football than a young player, a graduate of the youth ranks, expressing themselves under the lights in the first team. This is a club that has been transformed by youth in recent seasons, from Bukayo Saka to Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, and the latest jewel of the academy made his first mark on Mikel Arteta’s side last night.

The Arsenal fans were singing the name of Charlie Patino before he had even touched the ball for the first time in senior football. They were singing it a few minutes later, too, when the 18-year-old announced himself with his first goal for the club. This is a midfielder of rare promise, a talent long identified as one of the brightest in the country, and his first appearance for Arsenal suggested there could be plenty more of these nights to come.

“A beautiful moment,” said Arteta of Patino’s goal. “He is a lovely kid. He is training with us almost every week. It was a dream. The fans heard about him and know what he can become. Now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start.”

A word, at this point, for poor Eddie Nketiah. On any other night, it would have been Nketiah who soaked up the applause of the home fans and dominated all the headlines. The striker, another academy graduate, struck a clinical hat-trick against an enthusiastic but limited Sunderland side to create the conditions that allowed Patino to make his entrance.

In this era of false nines and ultra-modern striker-playmakers, there is something endearingly old-fashioned about Nketiah and his passion for tap-ins. The 22-year-old might not be the future of his club, which he is set to leave at the end of this season, but he remains a player of genuine value and his knack for scoring goals is impossible to question.

Arteta is desperate for Nketiah to sign a new contract in north London, but he is yet to convince the Englishman to do so. Nketiah wants more minutes in the first team, which is a reasonable request for a player of his potential, and he will hope that this showing will help him in that regard.

Nketiah - PA
Nketiah - PA

In an engaging and enjoyable League Cup quarter-final, it was Nketiah’s finishing prowess that proved crucial to Arsenal’s victory. It speaks volumes of his old-school approach that the average distance of all his goals for Arsenal is less than six yards. The penalty area is where he comes alive, and the speed of his movement makes him deadly against opponents such as this.

“We are trying [to persuade him to stay],” said Arteta. “It’s not about anything else but minutes. He wants game time, he wants to be on that field. We all want him to stay. We are going to need him and he is going to play more minutes. He works so hard and puts the ball in the net every session. I am really delighted with him, and every time we need him he has always responded.”

Arsenal cruise past Sunderland thanks to Eddie Nketiah hat-trick and debut goal by Charlie Patino - AFP
Arsenal cruise past Sunderland thanks to Eddie Nketiah hat-trick and debut goal by Charlie Patino - AFP

Nketiah’s goals ensured a straightforward victory for Arteta’s side, although Sunderland also had their moments. The visitors scored a fine goal through Nathan Broadhead and played an appealing brand of football for much of the first half. There was no shame for them, their thousands of travelling supporters, or for their manager, Lee Johnson.

“I am very proud of the players,” said Johnson, whose adventurous side played an appealing brand of football for much of the first half. “I enjoyed today. The bigger picture for us is the learning experience. Now they know the standard. When you feel the quality of the opposition you learn so much more.”

Arsenal’s opener was scored in a typically predatory fashion by Nketiah, who reacted quickest when Rob Holding’s header was saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge. The second followed a few minutes later when Nicolas Pepe seized on Cedric’s cut-back and fired into the top corner, but Sunderland fought back before the break.

Their goal, finished by Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead, was the result of an incisive passing move. Picked out by Elliot Embleton, Broadhead lifted the ball calmly over Bernd Leno for his sixth goal in six matches.

Unfortunately for the visitors, their moment of joy only served to reignite the spark in Arsenal’s attack. Nketiah struck twice more after the break, converting low finishes from Nuno Tavares and Pepe’s crosses, before Patino’s moment arrived with just a few minutes remaining. A sidefoot finish, executed with style.

The hype around Patino is enormous, in part because of the social media clips that go viral following his academy games, and this was a fine start as the teenager looks to justify the expectation. “He has a lot of competition in front of him,” said Arteta. “He needs to go step by step. He got the opportunity, and he took it really well.”

Arsenal vs Sunderland, as it happened

10:13 PM

That's all folks

Thanks as always for joining us. Arsenal will discover who will join them in the semi-final tomorrow with three games scheduled on Wednesday.

Join us again for coverage of those matches.

09:54 PM

Stat of the day

09:53 PM

Nketiah reacts

Great feeling. I want to say big thanks to my team-mates for some really good assists. I just had to be in the right place. I scored a similar goal [to his third] a couple of rounds ago. It's nice to get that reaction. I'm happy we can go to the next round and get a few goals.

We could have played a lot better in the first half but we improved in the second half and more goals came. It was a great team display.

09:45 PM

What a night for the young man

09:38 PM

FULL TIME Arsenal 5 Sunderland 1

It's all over at the Emirates. Eddie Nketiah grabbed a hat-trick and 18-year-old Charlie Patino added a fifth late on as Arsenal book their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

09:35 PM

90+1 mins: Arsenal 5 Sunderland 1 GOAL Patino

WOW. What a moment for Patino. He scores on debut. Pepe beats his man for the umpteenth time and plays in Patino, who finishes coolly.

09:33 PM

90 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Three minutes added on.

09:32 PM

88 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Nketiah is named man of the match. No surprises there.

09:29 PM

85 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Another poor tackle by a Sunderland player. This time Doyle on Patino. Welcome to senior football young man!

09:25 PM

82 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Worry for Arsenal as Martinelli goes down after an aerial clash with Wright but he's able to carry on.

09:23 PM

80 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

The fans are chanting for Patino and he comes on for the final 10 mins in place of Smith Rowe. Another talented product of the Hale End academy.

09:22 PM

78 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Double change for Sunderland - Gooch and Embleton on, Evans and O'Brien off.

09:19 PM

75 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Naughty tackle by Wright on Martinelli. He's booked by the referee.

09:16 PM

72 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Double change for Arsenal. White and Odegaard off, Gabriel and Martinelli on.

09:14 PM

70 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

No goals or assists tonight but Odegaard has been excellent for Arsenal.

The Norweigan is running the game from centre midfield.

09:12 PM

67 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Chance for Nketiah to get a fourth goal but he doesn't strike the volley cleanly and Sunderland clear the ball.

09:08 PM

63 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Arsenal starting to put on a show now and Sunderland can't live with them. Pepe nutmegs his man again and squares it to Odegaard, whose shot is well saved by Burge.

09:03 PM

58 mins: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1 GOAL Nketiah

HAT TRICK NKETIAH. It has been a finishing masterclass from Nketiah.

Xhaka finds Odegaard, who splits the Sunderland defence with a pass to Pepe. The Ivorian nutmegs his man and pulls the ball back to Nketiah, who nonchanantly back heels the ball past Burge.

09:00 PM

56 mins: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

First Arsenal sub. Balogun off, Xhaka on. Not a great night for the young forward.

08:59 PM

55 mins: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

Inches away from a second Sunderland goal. Winchester drives into space and curls a brilliant shot towards goal that beats Leno but strikes the post. So close.

08:57 PM

53 mins: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

Balogun is booked for a foul on Wright.

08:55 PM

51 mins: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

08:53 PM

49 mins: Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1 GOAL Nketiah

It's a double for Eddie. He's clinical from six yards & he shows it again with a deft finish from a Tavares cross.

08:49 PM

46 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Stewart is now down for Sunderland and holding his ankle after a aerial clash with Nketiah. He's OK to continue though.

08:48 PM

SECOND HALF Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Sunderland get the game going again. Can they get level?

08:34 PM

HALF TIME: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Arsenal take a lead into the break. After Arsenal went ahead, Sunderland did very well to come back. Should be a interesting second half.

08:31 PM

45 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Three mins added on. Doesn't look like Broadhead can continue. Hume replaces him. Broadhead looks devastated.

08:30 PM

44 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Sunderland goalscorer Broadhead is down and in need of treatment after a clash with Holding.

08:29 PM

43 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Arsenal have wrestled back control of the match and Smith Rowe forces a good save from Burge after striking a let footed volley.

08:26 PM

40 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Pepe goes down in the box. He says he was pulled back. Replays show a tug of the shirt but the Arsenal attacker does go down easily.

08:22 PM

37 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Flanagan heads wide from a Pritchard free kick but he's offside.

08:22 PM

36 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Sunderland are the better team right now. Winning the second balls, competing hard and Arsenal are clearly shaken.

08:19 PM

33 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1

Great spell in the game for Sunderland now. Pritchard tests Leno again and the Arsenal keeper is forced to push the shot wide for a corner.

08:17 PM

30 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1 GOAL Broadhead

Game back on? Huge gap in the Arsenal midfield and Sunderland run through. The ball is laid off to Broadhead, who finishes coolly over Leno.

08:16 PM

29 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 0

08:13 PM

26 mins: Arsenal 2 Sunderland 0 GOAL Pepe

Arsenal firmly in control. Cedric cuts the ball back to Pepe and his shot deflects off Doyle and into the roof of the net.

08:11 PM

24 mins: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0

Sunderland lose possession near their box and Arsenal break away. The ball is laid off to Balogun but the young striker doesn't do enough with his shot and Burge makes an easy save.

08:08 PM

23 mins: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0

08:07 PM

21 mins: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0

Nice move by Arsenal. Cedric overlaps Pepe and he whips a cross in for Balogun, who can't get his effort on target.

08:05 PM

19 mins: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0

Booking for Gooch for a late lunge on Pep near the halfway line.

08:02 PM

16 mins: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0 GOAL Nketiah

Deadlock broken. Burge makes a good save from a Holding header but Nketiah is there to tap in.

07:58 PM

12 mins: Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Freak moment. Smith Rowe and Tavares combine. The latter's pull back deflects off Flanagan and onto the bar before being cleared for a corner.

A bit of luck there for the away side.

07:56 PM

10 mins: Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Sunderland are working very hard in these early stages to close Arsenal down and deny them time on the ball. How long can they keep this level of intensity up?

07:52 PM

6 mins: Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Cedric crosses into the box and Nketiah head over the bar. A big night for the Arsenal striker.

07:49 PM

3 mins: Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

First shot on target goes to the visitors as Pritchard tests Leno from distance after a nice from by Sunderland.

07:46 PM

KICK OFF Arsenal vs Sunderland

Arsenal get the match underway!

07:41 PM

Here come the teams

Great noise at the Emirates. Kick off moments away...

07:39 PM

A reminder of the teams

Arsenal: Leno, Cedric, Holding, White, Tavares, Elneny, Odegaard, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Balogun.

Subs: Tierney, Partey, Gabriel, Saka, Lacazette, Ramsdale, Xhaka, Martinelli, Patino.

Sunderland: Burge, Wright, Flanagan, Doyle, Gooch, Winchester, Neil, Embleton, Pritchard, Stewart, Broadhead.

Subs: Evans, O'Brien, Cirkin, Xhemajli, Patterson, Younger, Hume, Dunne, Mbunga-Kimpioka.

07:34 PM

Meet Charlie Patino

No one can say with any certainty whether a young player will fulfil their promise, and it would be foolish in the extreme to boldly predict that Patino will have a major impact on the first-team this season. Form can fluctuate, and injuries can get in the way. What is clear, though, is that Patino has considerable potential. It is there for all to see.

Ahead of the game, read more from Sam Dean on their 18-year-old wonderkid here.

arsenal sunderland live score carabao cup latest updates - REUTERS
arsenal sunderland live score carabao cup latest updates - REUTERS

07:19 PM

Team news explained

Arsenal have made nine changes with Emile Smith Rowe returning to the side.

Arsenal won 4-1 at Leeds on Saturday to ensure they sit fourth in the Premier League over Christmas but only Ben White and Martin Odegaard have retained their places.

Bernd Leno returns in goal while Cedric Soares, Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares and Mohamed Elneny all come in with Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun in attack.

Sunderland, meanwhile, make just three alterations from the side that drew 1-1 at Ipswich on the weekend as Lee Burge, Bailey Wright and Elliot Embleton start.

07:07 PM

Sunderland starting XI

07:07 PM

Arsenal starting XI

07:06 PM

Good evening

Hello and welcome to coverage of Arsenal vs Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the recent disruption caused by COVID-19 in the Premier League posed a difficult challenge for the club but they are trying to cope with the situation by keeping a positive mindset.

Ten Premier League games were postponed this month due to outbreaks at several clubs, including six matches at the weekend, though Arsenal's game with Leeds United went ahead with Arteta's team winning 4-1 at Elland Road on Saturday.

With matches being called off at short notice, Arteta said the team need to be ready for "unpredictable things".

"It is difficult for the players, myself and the staff," Arteta told the club media before Tuesday's League Cup quarter-final at home against third-tier side Sunderland.

"Because we don't know really who is going to be available to do what, and we are all trying to help each other and get the best out of the situation.

"It is very difficult for yourself and the way you have to do your work, it is very difficult for (CEO) Vinai (Venkatesham) because he is dealing with a lot of meetings, a lot of responsibilities to try to defend the interest of the club in the right way."

Asked if the club have had to change their mindset in the recent weeks, Arteta said: "Have a really positive approach and your mindset ready that unpredictable things are going to happen - and stop complaining about everything that happens."

"We know what is going to happen, we know bad news will come probably so we have to expect it and try to prevent it if we can with all the protocols we have. But we have to be prepared as well with Plan B, C and D," he added. Britain reported 91,743 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the second-highest figure since the start of the pandemic, as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly.