London (AFP) – Arsenal crushed third-division club Bolton (5-1) in the third round of the English League Cup on Wednesday, with 16-year-old goalkeeper Josh Porter on target and a double from 17-year-old debutant Ethan Nwaneri.
First modified: 25/09/2024 – 23:20Last modified: 25/09/2024 – 23:45
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Arsenal’s English midfielder Ethan Nwaneri runs with the ball during the English League Cup third round match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers. At the Emirates Stadium in London, on September 25, 2024 © Adrian Dennis / AFP
Manager Mikel Arteta gave four ‘Baby Gunners’ a chance, with right-back Josh Nichols (18 years old) and his counterpart on the right, Myles Lewis-Skelly (17 years old).
Despite the rotations, the Londoners had no trouble dominating Bolton with a double from promising attacking midfielder Nwaneri (37, 49) and the first goal from Raheem Sterling (64) since his arrival on loan from Chelsea.
In the other match of the night, reigning champions Liverpool also thrashed West Ham (5-1) thanks to an excellent second half in which the ‘Reds’ went four goals up on the scoreboard.
Following the draw held after these matches, the Reds and Gunners now know who their opponents will be in the round of 16: Liverpool will face Brighton and Arsenal will face Preston North End (2nd division), who eliminated Fulham on penalties.
The big fourth round tie in the League Cup will see Tottenham take on Manchester City, while Chelsea could face Newcastle, provided the Magpies overcome their pending match against Wimbledon (fourth division) on October 1, postponed due to bad weather.
© 2024 AFP
