Kevin Campbell hailed Granit Xhaka as Arsenal’s game-changer in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland, as Nicolas Pepe stood out, while speaking on Sky Sports News (21/12, 21:36).
The Gunners beat the Black Cats 5-1 after an Eddie Nketiah hat-trick, plus goals from Pepe and debutant Charlie Patino. Pepe additionally assisted both Nketiah and Patino once.
Sunderland had grown into the game after Nathan Broadhead made the score 2-1 shortly after Pepe added to Nketiah’s opener. The Stadium of Light natives enjoyed a fruitful spell in north London, but the visitors could not find the finish to draw Lee Johnson’s side level.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta put a lid on Sunderland’s lively period with the introduction of Xhaka for Folarin Balogun. The £35m Swiss midfielder entered the game on 56-minutes after referee Robert Jones showed Balogun the Gunners’ only yellow card of the night.
Balogun had wasted a few chances to score his third senior goal during his 10th first-team outing in all competitions. Sunderland also managed to attack Nuno Tavares frequently as the 20-year-old striker failed to provide the Arsenal full-back with much defensive support.
Campbell hails Xhaka as Arsenal’s game-changer against Sunderland
Xhaka instantly gave Arsenal more control in midfield on route to turning on the style in the second-half against Sunderland. The Black Cats simply failed to replicate the promise they showed after scoring with the Swiss sitting beside Mohamed Elneny.
Campbell loved the difference Xhaka made to Arsenal’s performance in the Carabao Cup. The Gunners hero also lauds Pepe, having dominated Tom Flanagan and Lynden Gooch.
“The youngsters have proved that they are carrying the football club at the moment,” Campbell said. “Arsenal looked a lot better when Granit Xhaka came on. They looked a lot more solid, they sorted that midfield out, Sunderland couldn’t penetrate down the middle.
“I’ve got to say, Nicolas Pepe was fantastic tonight. He has absolutely tortured the full-back at times. He’s nutmegged him twice and he’s probably got three assists and one goal.”
Pepe has recorded his two goals and four of his five assists so far this term in the Carabao Cup. His only Premier League assist was for Arsenal’s winner over Norwich in September.
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