Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Wasted chance for a chance for Sunderland. Carl Winchester runs down the right and Nathan Broadhead is free in the centre, but the cross is cut out.

sultanofAba: No more sentiments, this is a very good chance for Nicolas Pepe to impress the manager and stake a claim in the team or there is no coming back.

Karen Carney
Former Arsenal midfielder on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 5 Live

My first thought was Mohamed Elneny wasn't really switched on and Ross Stewart is a handful. I'm watching it back and there's not eough for me. I think Stewart knows he's not going to get there and there's not enough contact.

Arsenal break after those appeals and Folarin Balogun has a shot blocked with Eddie Nketiah heading over.

Ross Stewart appeals for a Sunderland penalty but he engineered the contact with Mohamed Elneny as their legs tangled in the box. No pen.

It's Bernd Leno, not Aaron Ramsdale starting tonight. Force of habit, sorry!

Sunderland have the first chance. The ball comes to Alex Pritchard on the edge of the box, he flicks it up, takes it around a defender and shoots but it's a straightforward stop for Bernd Leno.

Arsenal start on the front foot but Sunderland aren't looking overawed.

#thefootball begins

The players are out. Almost time to go.

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson on Sky Sports: "It should be fun. These boys have got to enjoy the occassion, it is a fantastic stadium, the surface is brilliant and we have to bring our best as Arsenal are a fantastic team.

"I believe in my players, I think we would be a threat for anyone. It is a great experience in terms of off the pitch but also a big learning experience in the game."

Arsenal are looking to reach the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2017-18, being eliminated at this stage in two of the last three campaigns.

The Gunners have progressed from 15 of their last 16 League Cup ties against sides from the third tier or lower, failing only against Bradford in the 2012-13 quarter-final.

Sunderland have not lost a League Cup match since August 2018 (2-0 v Sheffield Wednesday).

They have won six and drawn three of their nine games since, with both of their eliminations coming via penalty shootouts.

They beat QPR on spot-kicks in the last round.

The draw for the semi-final will take place tomorrow after the last three semis.

So maybe some time around 22:00 GMT at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

We'll bring you that draw in tomorrow's live text.

Not that a semi-final draw takes long. We'll know the whole thing once two teams are drawn.

Sunderland

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson admits the Omicron variant of Covid-19 being so prevalent in London is a bit of a concern.

Some 5,000 Sunderland fans are expected to head to the capital for today's game.

"Yes, it's definitely something that you're thinking about, but you've got to trust the guidelines," he said.

"I want my own fanbase and everybody else in the country and my family and friends to be as safe as possible.

"We've got to protect the people, but we've also got to protect thepoints [in the league].

"Depending on whether we comply with the protocol will depend on whether we get fined or, in a worst case scenario, have to forsake points.

"At the moment, touch wood, we're dealing with it really well and the doctor and the physios are absolutely on blob with the information that they're getting, deciphering it and then articulating it back to myself and the players."

Paul Dobson
Editor of Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme

There’s a bit of trepidation, but I’ve had three jabs and had Covid last year so I’m as protected, I guess, as you can be.

There’s a higher percentage of cases down there than up here and it does cross your mind but you look at the guidelines and it’s as good as it can get.

We have lost people during the lockdown period who’ve found other things to do and aren’t happy travelling in the pandemic situation but as far as I know, the bus is full, and there should be 5,000 Sunderland fans in a big crowd.

Sunderland are looking to reach the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2013-14.

The Black Cats have progressed from their last three League Cup ties away against London clubs, a run which started with a 3-2 win at Arsenal in November 2002.

Arsenal

Arsenal will not use Covid as an excuse for any dip in form, says boss Mikel Arteta.

They have been one of the least scathed teams so far.

"Have a really positive approach and your mindset ready that unpredictable things are going to happen - and stop complaining about everything that happens," he said

"Then you will find excuses. We can find excuses for everything. We know what is going to happen, we know bad news will come probably, so we have to expect it and try to prevent it if we can with all the protocols we have.

"But we have to be prepared as well with Plan B, C and D."

Image source, Reuters

Only Brentford (12) have scored more goals than Arsenal (11) in this season’s League Cup, with the Gunners also yet to concede this term.

They last had a longer run of goals scored without reply in the competition with a run of 15 between the 1987 final against Liverpool and their 1987-88 semi-final second leg tie against Everton.