Arsenal 3-0 AFC Wimbledon: Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah score in win
Arsenal beat League One AFC Wimbledon to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and make it three wins in a row in all competitions.
Alexandre Lacazette was making his first start since April and scored a penalty after Nesta Guinness-Walker fouled Gabriel Martinelli.
Emile Smith Rowe converted from Lacazette’s pass and Eddie Nketiah’s lovely flicked backheel from Cedric Soares’ cross sealed the win.
Arsenal host Leeds in round four.
The Gunners should have beaten the Dons by more after hitting the woodwork twice.
Visiting goalkeeper Nik Tzanev tipped the ball onto his own bar in the first half, and Nuno Tavares later headed off the post.
The Gunners named a strong team, with Nketiah the only member of the starting XI not to play in the Premier League this season.
AFC Wimbledon did not manage a shot on target in the game.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on winning momentum: “It’s really important, confidence rises.
“Competition brings the best out of you when you have difficult moments and the boys have managed to win three games in a row.
“Credit to how they have handled the situation and now they are obviously looking forward to play on Sunday in what is our biggest game of the season [at home to Spurs].”
AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson: “Obviously it [the opener] was a disappointing goal to give away.
“After that we recovered well and I think we had a really good spell for 20 minutes in the first half where we kept the ball really, really well. We possibly didn’t carry enough threat in key areas.
“It was important we came here and tried to be what we are. We want to be a possession-based side so I think it was really key we came here to be a version of ourselves and we did that.”
Line-ups
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-2-1
- 1Leno
- 17Cédric Soares
- 16Holding
- 22Marí
- 20Varela Tavares
- 15Maitland-Niles
- 5ParteySubstituted forSmith Roweat 60′minutes
- 23Sambi Lokonga
- 35MartinelliSubstituted forSakaat 76′minutes
- 30NketiahSubstituted forBalogunat 83′minutes
- 9Lacazette
Substitutes
- 7Saka
- 10Smith Rowe
- 21Chambers
- 25Elneny
- 26Balogun
- 31Kolasinac
- 49Hein
Wimbledon
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Tzanev
- 2Lawrence
- 22HeneghanBooked at 45mins
- 5Nightingale
- 18Guinness-Walker
- 21McCormickBooked at 30minsSubstituted forMebudeat 60′minutes
- 4Woodyard
- 8Hartigan
- 12RudoniSubstituted forChislettat 69′minutes
- 9PalmerSubstituted forPressleyat 54′minutes
- 10Assal
Substitutes
- 3Csoka
- 6Marsh
- 7Alexander
- 11Chislett
- 16Mebude
- 19Pressley
- 31Oualah
- Referee:
- Jarred Gillett
- Attendance:
- 56,276
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal 3, AFC Wimbledon 0.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, AFC Wimbledon 0.
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Attempt missed. Will Nightingale (AFC Wimbledon) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Anthony Hartigan following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Pablo Marí (Arsenal).
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Aaron Pressley (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Emile Smith Rowe following a corner.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Nikola Tzanev.
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Attempt saved. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alexandre Lacazette.
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Attempt missed. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Emile Smith Rowe following a fast break.
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Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).
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Ayoub Assal (AFC Wimbledon) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Cédric Soares (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Dapo Mebude (AFC Wimbledon).
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Substitution, Arsenal. Folarin Balogun replaces Eddie Nketiah.
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Attempt missed. Ethan Chislett (AFC Wimbledon) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Anthony Hartigan with a cross.
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Goal! Arsenal 3, AFC Wimbledon 0. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Cédric Soares.
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Attempt blocked. Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bukayo Saka.
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Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alex Woodyard (AFC Wimbledon).
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Foul by Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal).
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