Capital One Cup: Arsenal’s kids hold nerve to reach round four
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 vs ARSENAL 1
(ARSENAL WIN 4-3 ON PENALTIES)
ARSENAL set up a Capital One Cup fourth round clash with London rivals Chelsea following a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory against West Brom at the Hawthorns last night.
The Gunners, who made nine changes to the side that beat Stoke 3-1 on Sunday, took the lead on
61 minutes when striker Nicklas Bendtner, making his first Arsenal appearance since August 2011, threaded a precise pass through to 20-year-old midfielder Thomas Eisfeld who finished neatly at the near post.
But West Brom levelled the tie 10 minutes later when England under-21 international Saido Berahino headed in unmarked from close range following hesitation in the Arsenal defence.
Extra time failed to separate the sides and Arsenal blinked first in the shoot-out when German teenager Serge Gnabry saw his penalty saved by reserve goalkeeper Luke Daniels.
But defender Craig Dawson and on loan Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano struck wide to hand Arsenal the advantage and Nacho Monreal made no mistake with the decisive spot-kick.
Elsewhere, holders Swansea were humbled 3-1 at Championship side Birmingham City, while Newcastle and Stoke safely progressed with 2-0 victories against lower league clubs Leeds and Tranmere respectively.