By Daily Sports on December 22, 2021

Arsenal were one of just eight sides in Premier League action last weekend as the wave of Covid cases caused by the new Omicron variant decimated the English football calendar.

Mikel Arteta made nine changes from the side that thrashed Leeds 4-1, but Arsenal were never in danger of suffering an upset.

Nketiah opened the scoring on 17 minutes as he bundled the ball home from close range after Rob Holding's header was parried by Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge.

Pepe remains Arsenal's record signing, but has been dropped down the pecking order this season due to the form of youngsters Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli.

The Ivorian took his rare chance to shine as he exchanged passes with Cedric Soares before seeing his strike deflected past the helpless Burge.

Nathan Broadhead pulled a goal back for League One Sunderland before halftime.

But Nketiah quickly restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage five minutes into the second half, flicking in a Nuno Tavares cross at the near post.

Nketiah completed his hat-trick in impressive fashion soon afterwards as he backheeled Pepe's cross beyond 

Burge.

Arteta then handed the highly-rated Patino his debut 10 minutes from time.

And the 18-year-old rounded off the scoring when he slotted home another Pepe pass.

The other three quarterfinals take place on Wednesday as Tottenham host West Ham, Liverpool take on Leicester and Chelsea face Brentford. (AFP)

•PHOTO: Nketiah

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 22, 2021

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