The controversy and drama from the weekend’s Premier League title clash might still be the primary cause of conversation between Arsenal supporters but the third round Carabao Cup clash with Bolton provides an interesting opportunity for the Gunners. A chance for rotation with far less pressure on the result.
Yes, there is certainly an expectation that Mikel Arteta will give a chance to some of the younger players. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly certainly will be expected to start the game, while David Raya’s injury status and Neto being cup-tied will give one of the youth goalkeepers a chance.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa are all already through to the fourth round and a trophy remains a need for the Gunners. The draw for the fourth round will take place following the conclusion of the evening’s games.
Tom Canton and Kaya Kaynak bring coverage from the Emirates Stadium including all the build-up to this evening’s game. Updates and team news to follow…
Key Events
Player ratings
One man of the match tonight and that is, of course, Ethan Nwaneri. Raheem Sterling looked very bright as well, while Kiwior, Saka, Rice and Lewis-Skelly all had good nights.
Read Kaya Kaynak's full Arsenal player ratings here.
Full-time!
Porter claims a corner as the whistle blows and Arsenal ease into the fourth round. LIVE coverage of the draw to come which you can follow here.
A quiet end
Not much of note after the change. Kabia yet to really see the ball and now the game is playing into four minutes of added time.
Another change
Raheem Sterling comes off and there is another debut Ismail Kabia. 12 debuts under Arteta.
GOAL! Arsenal 5-1 Bolton (Havertz)
Kai Havertz now in on the act. A shot from Sterling rebounds into the path of the German who also pokes in the ball.
Gabriel Jesus with a lovely nutmeg in the build up.
Close - Sterling
Great ball to the back post by Jorginho, Sterling comes in and gets a touch which Southwood pushes wide.
Arsenal changes
Gabriel Martinelli is coming on for Bukayo Saka.
Maldini Kacurri comes on for Riccardo Calafiori.
Over - Calafiori
The crowd shout for him to shoot and he obliges. On his right foot though this shot goes over the bar.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Bolton (Sterling)
A tap in for the summer signing. Gabriel Jesus tears from left to right and then the ball makes its way to Saka. He drives again to the touchline and crosses... Southwood gets a hand on it but it goes under him and bounces in front of the goal line for Sterling to poke in.
Nervy for Porter
A back pass from Gabriel to the 16-year-old creates concern as the teenager's return goes straight to the Bolton player and the ball cannons over the bar. Eek!
Arsenal changes
Lewis-Skelly cannot continue and is coming off. Gabriel will take his place as Calafiori moves to the left-back position.
Kai Havertz is also coming on for Declan Rice.
Lewis-Skelly down
Off the ball seemingly. He is walking back to the sidelines and looks like he will continue.
Side netting again
Arsenal have a had a fire lit under them since the goal. Nwaneri sets up Saka to drive onto his right foot again but he cannot find the target.
Goal! Arsenal 3-1 Bolton
Collins gets the goal after hitting the Gunners on the break. Porter here is under the microscope who gets simply put to the floor by the forward and he has to put the ball in an empty net.
Side netting
Saka drives down the right looking to power one in the net but a deflection sees it hit the side netting.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Bolton (Nwaneri)
Another goal! He's done it again!
Poor mistake Bolton give away the ball to Rice, he gifts it to Nwaneri who fires too hard for Southwood to handle. He should save it... but we don't care.
Second half
Here comes the second period as the Gunners look to try and see out a stressfree half.
Half time ratings
Porter 7
Nichols 5
Kiwior 6
Calafiori 6
Lewis-Skelly 7
Jorginho 6
Nwaneri 7
Rice 7
Saka 7
Jesus 7
Sterling 7
Half-time
It's been a topsy-turvy half for the Gunners. The good has been really good but the bad has been slightly awkward.
Nichols has struggled, Porter remains untested so far beyond a goal that was ruled out for offside but Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have been promising.
Wide
Gabriel Jesus has a chance to quieten the fans has he shrugs off Santos and has a chance to shoot. He however drags his shot wide.
"Johnny Stones"
Sing the Bolton fans... well they need to sing about something.
Meanwhile, Nwaneri's goal makes him the youngest Arsenal goalscorer since Wilshere in 2008.
Sterling strike
Southwood is forced into a save from Sterling. The England winger cuts inside off the right after being fed by Rice, and finesses a shot into the top right but he is stopped.
How is that not a corner?
Sterling certainly should have won a corner off Forino but this referee, Josh Smith, thinks otherwise. It seems that even the alternative officials getting their chance to referee a Premier League side are not proving much better than their superiors.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Bolton (Nwaneri)
Sterling makes up for his misshap and finds a run in behind on the left. He crosses for Nwaneri to tap into an open net.
Wasteful
Raheem Sterling has wasted a good attack. Saka breaks down the right and feeds the winger who tries to backheel it to Nwaneri and completely misses the ball.
Bolton then counter and score... but it is offside.
Yellow - Calafiori
Easy booking. The Italian has pulled his opponent back and stopped an attack, easy booking.
Another Bolton corner follows. Not the best showing this from the kids so far, Nichols struggling on the right.
Over - McAtee
Another big chance for Bolton. The corner comes in and Sterling cannot head far at all, the ball loops to McAtee and he fires over. Porter still yet to be tested.
Wide - Jesus
Jorginho slips in Saka with a wonderful pass. Saka clips a cross in for Jesus and he tries to loop a shot over Southwood, it takes a nick and goes wide... no corner given though.
