West Ham United Arsenal 3-1

The result didn't really matter for Arsenal on Wednesday but the performance does. The Carabao Cup was never going to define the Gunners' season, yet a dreadful 3-1 defeat at West Ham raises questions that will linger beyond their fourth-round exit.

Before this game, Mikel Arteta tasked his players with showing the mindset required to maintain a high level impervious to switching competitions. It was a challenge they unequivocally failed, turning in arguably their worst performance of the season and triggering doubts about the competitions they do care about.

The fight drained from Arsenal soon afterwards. Bowen almost doubled the lead seconds after the restart as Ramsdale saved well but West Ham didn't have to wait long as Mohamed Kudus produced a superb control and finish on 50 minutes to double their lead.

Bowen fired in a third 10 minutes later which Ramsdale could arguably have done better with, even if it took a slight deflection off Jakub Kiwior on the way through. Ramsdale has had to wait since the previous round at Brentford on Sept. 27 for a chance to impress as David Raya usurped him in goal but he did little here to advance his case.

Arsenal slumped to a miserable 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Wednesday night as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup in tame fashion. Mikel Arteta made six changes from the team that saw off Sheffield United 5-0 at the weekend, but his fringe players were unable to make any sort of impact during a hugely disappointing evening in east London.

The visitors probably just about shaded the first half, but went into the break a goal behind after Ben White headed into his own net. Arteta's side were abject after the interval, however, as strikes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen saw the Hammers stretch their advantage

Arteta probably hoped he would not need to use his glittering cast on the bench. Introduced alongside Takehiro Tomiyasu in place of the sub-par Zinchenko, Rice joined the action and duly misplaced numerous passes to mocking cheers from most of the stadium.

Rice is revered at West Ham for winning the UEFA Europa Conference League at the club last season. This time, he received renditions of "you should have stayed with the big club" during a forgettable appearance on a pitch where he used to celebrate.

 Read more

Sarah H

Also on site :

• ASU’s Kyndrich Breedlove, Duke’s Landen King both ejected late in 1st half of Sun Bowl
• Duke lineman Kobe Smith suffers gruesome injury in Sun Bowl: ‘Not going to show that one again’
• Around The NBA: Atlanta Fire Sale? NCAA Return Rules, Tanking Tweaks, Christmas Ratings, More