Arsenal progressed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers.
The Gunners put on a show for the Emirates, returning home to N5 for the first time in three fixtures after difficult tests on the road.
Mikel Arteta’s heavily rotated side emerged victorious over the League One outfit, scoring five goals to ease into the fourth round.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice and a double from Ethan Nwaneri settled the scoreline, on what was a special night for Arsenal.
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Arsenal match 92-year record with EFL Cup win over Bolton
Not only was it a five-star night in front of goal, but Arteta made the occasion even more special by handing six academy talents minutes.
Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols, Ismeal Kabia, Jack Porter and Maldini Kacurri had nights to remember, but that wasn’t the end of the celebrations in North London.
Having secured the win, Arteta recorded Arsenal’s 21st win in all competitions in 2024, translating to a win percentage of 70%.
It’s a marvellous record, and one that matches the current best win rate in a calendar year in the club’s history.
In fact, it was 92 years ago that Arsenal maintained a win percentage of 70% in a calendar year, winning 35/50 fixtures all the way back in 1932.
2024 has been an outstanding year for Arsenal, with a win percentage to now match the impressive defensive record that Arteta’s side have maintained since January.
Talking points from Arsenal 5-1 Bolton
The most important thing from Wednesday night’s fixture was that the Gunners booked their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Aside from the victory, there were plenty of talking points, one of which being the performance of Nwaneri, who scored twice on the night for his boyhood club.
At just 17-years-old, the attacking midfielder shone on his full senior debut although, he wasn’t the only player to get on the scoresheet on his first start.
Signed on deadline day, Sterling was handed the opportunity to show the Emirates what he has to offer on loan from Chelsea, which he did impressively with three goal contributions.
The Englishman scored and recorded two assists to set up Nwaneri and Havertz, showing an impressive energy and experience in a side split between senior regulars and academy jewels.
Arteta will have a lot to take from the victory, setting up the squad nicely ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Leicester City.
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