Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after surviving a late fightback from League One visitors Blackpool as both sides finished the game with 10 men.
Gunners full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner slid in his first goal since joining from Juventus before teenager Emile Smith Rowe doubled the Premier League giants’ lead after half-time. Stephan Lichtsteiner, at 34 years and 288 days, is the oldest scorer for Arsenal since 35-year-old Sol Campbell in February 2010.
Arsenal were coasting until French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was given a second yellow card for pulling back Jordan Thompson, leaving them facing the prospect of playing the final 35 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
Blackpool, who are mid-table in the third tier, narrowed the gap when centre-back Paudie O’Connor headed in from a corner.
That meant the game turned into a nervier finish than it should have been for Arsenal, who fielded a much-changed side which still contained several experienced stars.
However, Blackpool were also reduced to 10 men with a few minutes left to play when O’Connor was shown a straight red card for scything down Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
O’Connor’s dismissal checked Blackpool’s momentum as Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches under new manager Unai Emery.
Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after surviving a late fightback from League One visitors Blackpool as both sides finished the game with 10 men.
Gunners full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner slid in his first goal since joining from Juventus before teenager Emile Smith Rowe doubled the Premier League giants’ lead after half-time. Stephan Lichtsteiner, at 34 years and 288 days, is the oldest scorer for Arsenal since 35-year-old Sol Campbell in February 2010.
Arsenal were coasting until French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was given a second yellow card for pulling back Jordan Thompson, leaving them facing the prospect of playing the final 35 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
Blackpool, who are mid-table in the third tier, narrowed the gap when centre-back Paudie O’Connor headed in from a corner.
That meant the game turned into a nervier finish than it should have been for Arsenal, who fielded a much-changed side which still contained several experienced stars.
However, Blackpool were also reduced to 10 men with a few minutes left to play when O’Connor was shown a straight red card for scything down Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
O’Connor’s dismissal checked Blackpool’s momentum as Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches under new manager Unai Emery.
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