Arsenal shook off their Premier League woes and thrashed second-tier West Bromwich Albion for six goals to advance to the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a hat-trick.
Southampton improved by two goals, thrashing fourth-tier Newport County 8-0 at Rodney Parade in the South Coast club’s best away victory in their 136-year existence.
Newcastle United and Burnley, Premier League rivals, failed to thrill the 30,000-strong crowd at St James’ Park, with the game ending goalless and Burnley prevailing 4-3 on penalties.
A new signing has been made. Before Charlie Taylor scored the game-winning goal, Wayne Hennessey saved two penalties.
Aubameyang scored in the 17th minute after Bukayo Saka’s saved effort landed on him. He had returned to the starting lineup after testing positive for COVID-19 before the season began.
When Nicolas Pepe’s shot bounced off the post for another tap-in on the stroke of halftime, he made it 2-0 and then repaid the favor seconds later.
He completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute after scoring the game’s fourth goal from 18 yards in the 50th.
As a result, we’ll be more confident going into our next games. In both of Gabon’s league games, the squad had fallen by a score of 2-0. “We have to put in a lot of work and keep pushing,” said the Gabonese player.
This performance and clean sheet impressed Mikel Arteta as well as the team’s attitude.
When asked what had impressed him the most, the Spaniard stated, “We are all unhappy that we haven’t won any of the two games in the Premier League,” but “the mentality of the players and how cohesive they are.”
Arsenal celebrated their first win of the season against opponents who were practically a reserve side as Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench for his season debut and made it 6-0 four minutes later, assisted by Pepe.
There were 11 changes made by West Bromwich Albion, who were demoted from the Premier League last season. Five players made their Premier League debuts, including goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
After joining Arsenal from Sheffield United, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made his debut.
HAT-TRICK ELYOUNOUSSI
As Newport was pounded in their first home game of the season after having their field re-laid, loanee Armando Borja scored in either half on his debut for Southampton, and Mohamed Elyounoussi got a second-half hat-trick.
The Saints ran riot in the second half after leading 3-0 at halftime. Nathan Tella (25th), Kyle Walker-Peters (44th), and Nathan Redmond (69th) all scored.
Holders Following Wednesday’s games, Manchester City’s campaign for a fifth consecutive League Cup triumph will begin with a third-round home match against third-tier Wycombe Wanderers.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United will face West Ham United, who are managed by their former manager David Moyes, while Chelsea will face Aston Villa.
While Arsenal will host a game against third-tier AFC Wimbledon, Southampton will travel to Sheffield United to take on the Steelers.
Norwich City, who defeated Bournemouth 6-0 on Tuesday, will face Liverpool, who triumphed 3-0 at Carrow Road in their Premier League season opener.
In a contest that puts new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo against his former employers, Wolverhampton Wanderers play Tottenham Hotspur.
