Emile Smith Rowe seals edgy win for Arsenal over ten-man Blackpool

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Stephan Lichtsteiner scored Arsenal's opener (Getty)

Arsenal made hard work of dispatching Blackpool in the Carabao Cup but the Gunners progressed as both sides finished with 10 men at the Emirates Stadium.

The hosts appeared to be coasting after Stephan Lichtsteiner's first goal for the club was added to by Emile Smith Rowe.

But Blackpool rallied and, after Matteo Guendouzi had been sent off for two fouls on Jordan Thompson, Paudie O'Connor reduced the arrears before also being dismissed as Arsenal secured a narrow 2-1 victory.

Unai Emery made nine changes but his side still featured the likes of Petr Cech, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey - the latter starting despite his future having reportedly been resolved during a meeting with the club.

The Wales midfielder said in Lisbon last week that he had received no explanation as to why a contract offer had been withdrawn but he now looks set to walk away for nothing when his current deal expires in the summer.

Carl Jenkinson also came in for Arsenal, making his first appearance for the club in 701 days as he was joined in defence by debutant Julio Pleguezuelo.

As expected the hosts had plenty of possession at the start of the game but did not test their former goalkeeper Mark Howard in the opening half an hour.

That changed, however, when Lichtsteiner slid in to connect with Guendouzi's fine, lofted pass into the box and put the Gunners ahead with their first shot on target.

Shkodran Mustafi then came close to adding a second but his close-range header was deflected behind before Guendouzi sent a low drive wide of the post.

The second goal came from a player some 16 years younger than Lichtsteiner, Smith Rowe turning home after Jenkinson's cross had been knocked into his path by Howard.

Blackpool almost halved the deficit when O'Connor rose to meet a corner, heading against the frame of the goal with Cech nowhere to be seen as he burst from his line.

Guendouzi, who had fouled Thompson in the first half to earn himself a booking, was given his marching orders after 56 minutes for pulling back the same player.

Blackpool needed just 10 minutes after the red card to bring themselves back into the game, O'Connor again rising for a header, this time unmarked, as the Leeds loanee grabbed his second goal for the club.

Cech had appeared uncomfortable with Emery's desire for his side to play out from the back, being caught out on numerous occasions during the early weeks of the season.

He returned here but was again left red-faced as he was challenged in the box by Blackpool captain Jay Spearing as Nathan Delfouneso turned into an empty net only to see the goal chalked out for offside.

Emery was suitably worried to introduce club record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the bench for the last 15 minutes.

Top goalscorer for Arsenal so far this season, Aubameyang had little chance to add to his tally but was hacked down by O'Connor as the defender was sent off with six minutes remaining.

PA

[31 October 2018 19:39 · Michael Jones]

West Ham vs Tottenham

Based on Spurs' last match against Manchester City, I think this is unlikely... there's always hope though 

[31 October 2018 19:46 · Michael Jones]

We're underway!

Chelsea 0 - 0 Derby

Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackpool

West Ham 0 - 0 Tottenham

Remember Middlesbrough vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 8pm

[31 October 2018 19:49 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea vs Derby

In a nice touch there was a minute's applause before kick-off in memory of the five people who died in the helicopter crash at Leicester City last week.

[31 October 2018 19:52 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea vs Derby

5 mins: Chelsea 1 - 0 Derby - Tomori OG

It's a shocker for Chelsea loanee Tomori. Zappacosta puts a timid cross into the box and Tomori makes a mess of his intended clearance missing the ball with his left foot as it deflects off his standing leg and goes into the corner of the goal. 

[31 October 2018 19:56 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea vs Derby

8 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Derby - Marriott

Derby are level! Jack Marriott has four goals in five games for Derby as he scores the equaliser. Cahill makes a series of errors, first by giving the ball to Huddlestone with a wayward pass and then he slips when defending the vital pass through to Marriott leaving the Derby man with a difficult sight on goal but he delivers nonetheless. 

[31 October 2018 20:01 · Michael Jones]

West Ham vs Tottenham

12 mins: West Ham 0 - 0 Tottenham

Christian Eriksen has a left footed shot from the centre of the box saved by Adrian, it was a good chance to put Spurs one up at the London Stadium but the scores remain level.

[31 October 2018 20:05 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea vs Derby

16 mins: Chelsea 1 - 1 Derby

Waghorn gets away from Christensen and he's in on goal, the ball gets stuck under his feet and he finds no power with the shot, Caballero making an easy save in the end. Derby should be in front that was a golden chance!

[31 October 2018 20:06 · Michael Jones]

Middlesbrough vs Crystal Palace

Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Crystal Palace

We're underway at the Riverside Stadium

[31 October 2018 20:07 · Michael Jones]

West Ham vs Tottenham

16 mins: West Ham 0 - 1 Tottenham - Son Heung-Min

Son Heung-Min receives the ball from Dele Alli and takes a left footed shot from the centre of the box to sink the ball into the top left corner.

[31 October 2018 20:08 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea vs Derby

21 mins: Chelsea 2 - 1 Derby - Keogh OG

Chelsea in front again, another own goal from Derby. Zappacosta whips the ball in from the right looking for Loftus-Cheek and Keogh tries the clear it but the ball rebounds off his knee into the back of the net.