Sunderland manager Lee Johnson highlighted the ‘individual brilliance’ of Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah after Arsenal cruised into the EFL Cup semi-finals at the Emirates Stadium, speaking to Sky Sports.
Almost nine years ago today, Arsenal were knocked out of the last eight by lower league Bradford City. But there was to be no repeat of that famous ‘cupset’ when Sunderland came to town on Tuesday night.
The Black Cats had their moments. Academy graduates Elliot Embleton and Dan Neil shone on a far bigger stage while Nathan Broadhead’s first-half goal was a joy to behold.
But an Arsenal side boasting a £72 million winger, a £50 million centre-half, Germany, Portugal and Norway internationals – plus the most prolific striker in the history of England’s U21s – were simply too strong, too ruthless for a Sunderland side dreaming of a place in the last-four.
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“Arsenal were fantastic,” admitted Johnson, the former Bristol City and Barnsley boss.’
“We had some corners and wide free-kicks and a couple of shots on goal, and we looked dangerous.
“Of course, they’ve always got that threat on the counter and with a couple of quick slick moves, which was impressive.”
Nketiah netted a hat-trick on the night – taking his tally to 10 goals in nine EFL Cup appearances.
His third – and Arsenal’s fourth – was the best of the lot, a brilliant backheel into the bottom corner after Pepe breezed past Sunderland left-back Denver Hume with an inspired nutmeg.
“The individual brilliance of the fourth goal in particular was fantastic,” Johnson adds.
“There were a lot of positives. It feels mad that we’re coming in at 5-1 feeling like we’ve shown ourselves relatively well.
“But you’ve got respect Arsenal’s sheer ruthlessness in their finishing and that killer pass that we didn’t deal with.”
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