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)
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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Arsenal, MO
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (R) has an unsuccessful shot during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Sunderland. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. Martin Odegaard is Sensational Yet Again

The Norwegian is now oozing that “Ozil” style class when on the ball. His silky touches, superb positional awareness in the final third, and his ability to thread a pass were reminiscent of some of the best to grace the north London turf.

The ball he played to Nicolas Pepe to set up Nketiah’s third goal was simply ridiculous as took out the entire Sunderland back four, allowing Pepe to be one-on-one. That was one of many delightful balls he pinged around the pitch.

With every passing game the 23-year-old is showing why he made his debut for Real Madrid at just 16. He is a super talent, and at £35m looks like a steal right now.

He will largely be judged for what he does against the bigger teams, not against a League One side, but his quality is there for all to see and has been steadily building up with each minute he plays.

Odegaard pulled the strings with ease tonight. He’s someone who makes the game looks easy and, perhaps more importantly, makes it a fun spectacle.

Continued on next page…