Fast Eddie adds finishing touch for happy Mikel
ARSENAL’S FINE FORM CONTINUES
MIKEL ARTETA appears to have developed a real taste for the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners boss, below, was part of Pep Guardiola’s set- up when Manchester City won the competition back- to- back.
The Spaniard’s own side also meant business when Brendan Rodgers’ gamble to make 11 changes backfired.
It left the Foxes outgunned by an Arsenal for whom there was still no place for Mesut Ozil or Matteo Guendouzi.
Arteta’s men, who progressed after Christian Fuchs’ own- goal and a late Eddie Nketiah strike, now face the winner of tonight’s tie between Lincoln and Liverpool.
Leicester will have no repeat of their run to the semi- finals last term but at least they got 72 minutes out of England ace James Maddison, in for his first start since missing the end of last season with a hip surgery.
Maddison hit the post in the first half but there was no denying Arsenal’s supremacy as their impressive start to the new season continues.
Arteta made seven changes yet it was two of the names who did not make the squad which really spoke volumes. The visitors started with intent as Reiss Nelson launched a superb run and shot which forced keeper Danny ny Ward to tip his effort just over the bar.
In a frantic c opening Kelechi Iheanacho also tested Bernd Leno.
But the visitors rs started to take a stranglehold as Joe Willock’s clever pass released Nicolas Pepe whose drag back was superbly blocked by Fuchs. Leicester were guilty of not moving the ball fast enough, unlike the Gunners. Bukayo Saka was a huge threat rampaging down the left. He thought he should have had a penalty wh when he went down under a challenge from Daniel A Amartey.
The hosts breathed an another sigh of relief whe when Nelson put a right- fo foot shot wide after a corner was flicked on. After the break Arsenal really turned the screw. They took the lead in the 57th minute thanks to some luck. Pepe had a right- foot shot saved by Ward and he then hit the post with his follow- up before the ball rebounded on to Fuchs and ended in the back of the net.
There was still time for Nketiah to bag a goal from close range – his second in as many games.
LEICESTER ( 3- 4- 2- 1): Ward 5; Amartey 5, Morgan 6, Fuchs 6; Albrighton 6, Choudhury 6, Dewsbury- Hall 6 ( Perez 76), Thomas 6; Gray 6, Maddison 7 ( Praet 72); Iheanacho 6.
ARSENAL ( 3- 4- 3): Leno 7; Holding 7, Luiz 7, Kolasinac 7; Maitland- Niles 6, Elneny 6, Willock 7 ( Ceballos 78), Saka 8; Pepe 7, Nketiah 8, Nelson 7 ( Willian 72). Goals: Fuchs 57 og, Nketiah 90.