Callum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah helped Arsenal to the quarterfinals of Carabao Cup 2021 while Che Adams canceled out Kai Havertz opener before Chelsea went through on penalties.
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Arsenal and Chelsea defeated Leeds United and Southampton respectively on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners produced a spirited performance to beat Leeds 2-0 while Chelsea edged past Southampton on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 in the regular time. Elsewhere Sunderland defeated QPR on penalties to reach the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time since 1988.
After a goalless first half at Emirates stadium Callum Chambers was introduced in the 55th minute following an injury to Ben White. And what an introduction it turned out to be as the 26-year-old broke the deadlock with his first touch of the game.
Emile Smith Rowe swung in an in-swinging cross to the far post where Nicolas Pepe headed it back across goal for Chambers to head home. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier scrambled the ball clear but the ball had already crossed the line. It was the Englishman’s first goal since September 2019.
Eddie Nketiah sealed the win in the 69th minute with Arsenal’s second of the night. Liam Cooper’s error led to the goal. The substitute’s header back towards his own goal was lifted over the goalkeeper by Nketiah and slotted in from a tight angle.
The Gunners held on to the lead and secured their sixth consecutive win in all competitions. The only note of caution for head coach Mikel Arteta would be White’s injury.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga turned out to be the villain and hero at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The 27-year-old was at fault when Southampton equalized, but he went on to make stunning stops in the second half and penalties to take his team through to the last eight.
Kai Havertz had given the lead to the Blues in the 44th minute before Che Adams leveled the score, two minute into the second half to take the game to penalties.
During the penalties, Arrizabalaga made a brilliant low diving save to his right to deny Theo Walcott before Will Smallbone ballooned his penalty over the bar. And then, Reece James sent his team through with a calmly taken spot-kick. It was Chelsea’s fourth win in all competitions. Marcos Alonso, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell also scored from their penalties.
