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Manchester City will continue their pursuit of a fifth successive Carabao Cup triumph with a fourth-round tie at Premier League rivals West Ham.

The Hammers claimed a shock victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night to advance to the last 16, while City thrashed League One Wycombe 6-1 on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Championship side Preston will host Liverpool, while Sunderland, the only League One side left in the competition, will travel to QPR.

There are four more all-Premier League ties, with Chelsea welcoming Southampton, Arsenal taking on Leeds, last season’s runners-up Tottenham travelling to Burnley, and Leicester hosting Brighton.

Premier League newcomers Brentford will travel to Championship Stoke, with the ties scheduled to take place on the week commencing October 25.

Carabao Cup fourth-round draw

Chelsea vs Southampton

Arsenal vs Leeds

Stoke vs Brentford

West Ham vs Manchester City

Leicester vs Brighton

Burnley vs Tottenham

QPR vs Sunderland

Preston vs Liverpool

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Eddie Nketiah’s superb, back-heeled flick helped Arsenal claim a 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at the Emirates Stadium as they set up a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Leeds United.

Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring for the much-changed Gunners when he converted from the penalty spot after Gabriel Martinelli had been brought down (10).

Arsenal were made to wait to extend their lead by their League One opponents but substitute Emile Smith Rowe finally turned home a loose ball (77) before Nketiah’s moment of inspiration capped the victory (80).

Cedric Soares’s cut-back was slightly behind the striker but he quickly adjusted his feet to flick the ball beyond AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Nik Tzanev using the heel of his right boot.

The victory, Arsenal’s third in a row in all competitions, ensures the Gunners maintain their momentum ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.

How Arsenal cruised into round four

Mikel Arteta made 10 changes from Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, with Thomas Partey the only player to keep his place in the side as other members of the squad were given the chance to impress.

One player who looked eager to seize his opportunity was Martinelli. The Brazilian was a menace on Arsenal’s right and used his pace to win the early penalty after latching on to Nketiah’s through-ball.

Lacazette, wearing the captain’s armband on what was his first start of the season, converted the spot kick coolly, finding the bottom corner and sending Tzanev the wrong way in the process.

Arsenal dominated possession but did not create another meaningful opening until much later in the half, when Martinelli again sprung the visitors’ offside trap, this time from a Lacazette pass, only for Tzanev to rush off his line and force him away from goal.

Tzanev almost cost his side a goal not long after that when he pushed a looping header into his own six-yard box from his goal line. The ball fell to Nketiah a few yards out, however he couldn’t force it in.

Partey enjoyed a productive run-out in midfield as he continued to build up his fitness following his return from an ankle injury, and he was next to go close when his rising drive was pushed over the bar by Tzanev shortly before the hour-mark.

That turned out to be his last contribution of the game, the Ghanaian withdrawn with Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham in mind, and his replacement, Smith Rowe, would go on to score Arsenal’s second.

Before that, Nuno Tavares, impressive at left-back for the hosts, struck the post with a downward header from a Martinelli cross.

Many of the home fans were growing frustrated at that point as their side struggled to convert their dominance into goals but Smith Rowe was soon joined on the pitch by Bukayo Saka, who combined with Lacazette to set up Smith Rowe for their second.

Nketiah then caused the Emirates Stadium to erupt in celebration for a third time with his ingenious finish and Arsenal went close to extending their lead further in the closing stages, with Saka firing narrowly wide then seeing another effort well saved by Tzanev.

By then, however, Arsenal had already done enough. Their attention now turns to Sunday’s north London derby.

What’s next?

Arsenal are at home to Leeds in the next round of the Carabao Cup with the fourth round ties due to be played on October 26 and 27.

Before that, the Gunners resume their Premier League campaign against north London rivals Tottenham, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.

AFC Wimbledon return to League One action with an away game against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

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We look ahead to another busy night of action in the Carabao Cup third round, with AFC Wimbledon travelling to face Arsenal and Chelsea hosting Aston Villa.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa – Wednesday, 7.45pm

Edouard Mendy will miss Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup clash with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

The Senegal goalkeeper is still battling a hip complaint, and will face a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Manchester City.

Christian Pulisic will also be a doubt as the USA forward continues to shake off an ankle issue.

Emi Buendia could return for Aston Villa‘s trip to Stamford Bridge.

The record signing was an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Everton after only returning from Croatia hours before, where he had been training with Emi Martinez to avoid quarantining following international duty with Argentina.

John McGinn is likely to miss out after coming off against the Toffees with a concussion with Leon Bailey unlikely to be risked after a quad injury while Trezeguet (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Key stat

This will be the fifth League Cup tie between Chelsea and Aston Villa, and first since 2006-07 when the sides met in the fourth round. The Blues have progressed from three of the previous four, with Aston Villa’s only triumph coming back in 2003-04 in the quarter-finals.

Brighton vs Swansea – Wednesday, 7.30pm

Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey is in contention to make a long-awaited comeback in the Carabao Cup tie against Swansea.

Lamptey has not featured since December 2020 because of a serious hamstring injury, but was an unused substitute for Sunday’s Premier League win over Leicester.

Dan Burn should be involved again after showing no reaction following his return from a knee problem, but fellow defender Adam Webster (hamstring) looks set to be out of action until after October’s international break.

Seagulls boss Graham Potter indicated he will utilise his squad, so should recall some of the under-23s players who were involved in the win at Cardiff in the last round, where midfielders Marc Leonard and Taylor Richard both started.

Swansea boss Russell Martin confirmed he will also make changes for the trip to the Amex Stadium.

Forward Joel Piroe could be in line to start having come off the bench to score a last-minute equaliser as the Swans fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 at Luton on Saturday.

Midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who was also on target in the late revival, and defender Ben Cabango could also feature again following their substitute appearances at Kenilworth Road.

Korey Smith is fit again following a calf problem as the midfielder targets a first appearance since the opening Sky Bet Championship game in August, but teenage defender Tivonge Rushesha (ACL) remains a long-term absentee.

Key stat

Brighton and Hove Albion last faced Swansea in the League Cup in August 2009, losing 3-0 at Liberty Stadium under Russell Slade.

Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon – Wednesday, 7.45pm

Arsenal will be without the suspended Granit Xhaka for their Carabao Cup third-round clash with AFC Wimbledon.

The midfielder will serve the last of a three-game ban for his red card at Manchester City before the international break.

Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of the match but other than that Mikel Arteta has a fully-fit squad to select from and is likely to make changes.

Wimbledon lost for just the second time this season at the weekend and the Sky Bet League One promotion hopefuls are also expected to show alterations.

Mark Robinson made eight changes for the second-round win at Northampton last month and will be aiming to give minutes to fringe players at the Emirates Stadium.

Daniel Csoka will be pushing for a start having come off the bench against Plymouth following a shoulder complaint while Paul Osew’s ankle injury could keep him out.

Key stat

This is the first ever meeting between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon in any competition.

Millwall vs Leicester – Wednesday, 7.45pm

Shaun Hutchinson could be in line to feature for Millwall in their Carabao Cup clash against Leicester.

The defender has resumed training after sustaining a thigh injury last month and manager Gary Rowett said he “should be back for Wednesday”.

Danny McNamara, Benik Afobe and George Evans may also be in contention having also returned to training after injuries but winger Sheyi Ojo is a doubt as he recovers from illness.

Ayoze Perez could return for Leicester.

The former Newcastle forward is available again after suspension.

Jonny Evans will be a doubt with a foot injury, while fellow defenders James Justin and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees.

Key stat

Leicester have won 18 of their last 20 away League Cup matches against sides from a lower division (D2), though one of those draws saw the Foxes go out on penalties against Hull City in 2015 after a 1-1 stalemate.

Wolves vs Tottenham – Wednesday, 7.45pm

Hwang Hee-chan could make his first Wolves start in the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham.

John Ruddy, Leander Dendoncker, Yerson Mosquera and Fabio Silva may all come in following the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford.

Jonny (knee) and Pedro Neto (knee) remain long-term absentees for Wolves boss Bruno Lage.

Tottenham will be without forwards Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura. Bergwijn has a sprained ankle while Moura has a knock and both men will not make the trip to the midlands.

Defender Japhet Tanganga is back from suspension and should return to the squad.

Key stat

Wolves and Tottenham last faced in the League Cup in the 1971-72 semi-final, with Spurs winning 4-3 on aggregate before beating Norwich in the final that year.

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Arsene Wenger believes his final few years at Arsenal have been unfairly criticised as he opens up on his painful exit from the club.

The Frenchman left the Gunners in 2018 after a 22-year spell in charge which returned three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, a Champions League final appearance and a new stadium.

However, with the club failing to mount a serious title challenge following the move to the Emirates from Highbury in 2006, calls of ‘Wenger out’ from the fans had become a common occurrence in his final few seasons.

Sunday 26th September 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

But since Wenger’s departure, Arsenal have had to settle for Europa League football and finished eighth last season – their worst league campaign for 25 years.

Wenger admitted in his recent autobiography leaving the Gunners was a “very lonely, very painful” separation but remains adamant every decision he made was in Arsenal’s best interests.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Arsene Wenger said: “I think people are quite harsh about the last years.

“In 2016 we finished second in the league. Leicester won but other teams were behind Leicester as well, and Leicester only lost three games. In 2017 we did not qualify for the top four for the first time in 20 years but we got 75 points.

“People don’t realise. We won the [FA] cup against Chelsea who had just won the championship and had the chance of winning the double.

“And after, in 2018, we lost the League Cup final against (Manchester) City, we lost in the semi-final of the Europa League against Atletico Madrid but by just one goal.”

“But look, I gave the best years of my career to develop what I think is important – the stadium and pay it back and put the club in a position where it was capable of facing the future and had the potential to do well.

“At the end of the day, above all, we won and what I am most proud about is putting the club in that position.”

Wenger, now chief of global football development at FIFA, is currently making headlines with controversial plans to make the World Cup every two years with football’s governing bodies set to discuss the matter later this month.

On his proposals, Wenger added: “It is only my proposal! I don’t make that decision. It’s for the whole football world to decide.”

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