Arsenal prevailed in a game of two halves as they booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with victory over Brighton and Hove Albion. Goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka ensured the much-changed Gunners made it through to the last eight. Brighton wasted several early chances to open the scoring with Kepa Arrizabalaga making some big saves to keep it level.
The hosts were firmly on the back foot until the interval, having failed to muster a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Brighton continued to push for an opener before Nwaneri found the bottom corner with a sweetly-struck effort just before the hour mark. At that point, the tide turned and it wasn’t long before Saka tucked into the far corner to double Arsenal’s lead and make sure of the victory.
Express Sport rates and slates the Arsenal players following tonight’s game…
Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 8
Faced a bombardment in the first half but was equal to everything thrown at him. A strong display between the sticks.
Ben White – 8
Had a good game, racing up and down the right flank and using his range of passing to start attacking moves.
Piero Hincapie – 7
Looked a bit awkward dealing with high balls at times, but otherwise did his defensive duties well enough.
Cristhian Mosquera – 8
Brought a sense of calm at the back and stayed strong under pressure with some goal-saving tackles. Solid.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
Struggled to deal with the threat posed by Ferdi Kadioglu but managed to get the assist for Nwaneri’s goal.
Mikel Merino – 6
Started slowly but improved in the second half. Could have offered a greater degree of solidity in the engine room.
Christian Norgaard – 5
Looked a bit lost as Brighton repeatedly broke through the middle in the first half. Not his best display.
Ethan Nwaneri – 7
The game was passing him by until he found the bottom corner with a pinpoint finish to open the scoring.
Eberechi Eze – 7
Worked hard to make things happen as Arsenal’s only non-teenage forward. Carved out plenty of chances from wide positions.
Max Dowman – 7
Embraced the occasion and showed confidence every time he was on the ball. Posed a threat with his clever attacking movement.
Andre Harriman-Annous – 6
Was mostly kept quiet by Brighton’s defenders but had an involvement in the build-up to the second goal.
Substitutes
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Posed an immediate threat from set-pieces after his introduction.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Had a huge hand in creating the second goal with a driving run and a fine pass into the box.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Put the result beyond doubt with a composed finish into the far corner.
Declan Rice – 6
Kept things ticking in the middle of the park in the closing stages.
Leandro Trossard – n/a
A late addition against his former club. Hit the post in stoppage time.