Arsenal 5-1 Sunderland: 5 talking points as Patino nets in Carabao Cup

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (centre left) congratulates Arsenal's English midfielder Charlie Patino (centre right), who scores a goal on his debut, on the pitch after the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 21, 2021. - Arsenal won the game 5-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. Nicolas Pepe Reminds us of His Quality

Similar to Nketiah, Pepe absolutely tore Sunderland apart. Two nutmegs on a poor left-back Tom Flanagan, who will have nightmares for the next decade, were the standout as he set the Emirates alight.

His goal was well taken, albeit via a deflection, and he provided two assists for Nketiah and Patino in what was a great all-round performance from the Ivorian.

Having been in the wilderness due to Gabriel Martinelli’s resurgent form, Pepe has seen his playing time diminished dramatically. However, games like this will remind Arteta of the quality he does possess.

While some will point out the League One opposition, and rightly so, Pepe can only play against who he is matched with and tonight he was levels above the Sunderland rear-guard.

No player angers and frustrates the fanbase quite like Pepe, and it is because of performances like this where flashes of both sides of his game stood out. Consistency is the key and he needs to do it against Premier League opposition, but tonight Pepe looked like a player worth splashing the cash for.

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