WHAT HAPPENED
We came from behind to win at Stoke on Saturday, thanks to goals from Xavier Amaechi, Emile Smith Rowe, Robbie Burton and Matt Smith.
With progression to the next round of the Premier League Cup on the line, Amaechi set the tone for the game early on, chipping the ball over Mate Deczki after just three minutes.
The hosts struck back in quick fashion, however, through Abdaulaye Toure, who slipped the ball under Joao Virginia to level things up.
Before the break we very nearly edged back in front when the ball fell to Tobi Omole inside the penalty area, but the defender saw his effort blocked and turned over.
Stoke soon came close to going in front themselves, this time through Venancio De Silva Monteria, who cannoned a long-range effort off the crossbar.
Shortly after the break the hosts did take the lead, though, as William Forrester slid in at the back post to prod home following a corner.
Knowing that only victory would see us through, Smith Rowe drew us level with a fantastic goal, which started with a run from our half of the pitch.
The England Under-17 World Cup winner wasn’t finished there, though, and when his shot was saved, Burton sidefooted in the rebound.
With full time nearing, Smith Rowe created another as he squared the ball to Smith on the edge of the area, and he blasted past Deczki.
WHAT IT MEANS
Victory sees us top our group ahead of Wolves, Manchester United and Stoke.
WHAT’S NEXT
Kwame Ampadu’s side travel to Swansea for our next fixture, as we return to league action.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
