Aubameyang on the hat-trick as Arsenal hit West Brom for six in Carabao Cup

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick helped Arsenal to a welcome first win of the season as they beat a young West Bromwich Albion side to reach the Carabao Cup third round.

In addition to setting up Nicolas Pepe’s third goal for the Gunners, Aubameyang marked his first start of the season with two first-half tap-ins and a curling finish after the break.

Bukayo Saka was on target for Arsenal’s fourth and Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to fire in the sixth goal for Mikel Arteta’s team.

The win could have been even bigger too had Martin Odegaard not hit the outside of the post from a tight angle and Pepe’s chip gone in instead of hitting the crossbar.

West Brom fielded six debutants, five of them teenagers, but showed spirit right to the end on what was a difficult night for them.

The Baggies, who have made a superb start to this season under new boss Valerian Ismael, pressed high, got the ball forward quickly and would have taken an early lead had goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, on his Arsenal debut, not pushed Tom Fellows’ whipped shot aside.

Even with the tie clearly decided they continued to carve out chances, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman twice denied by Ramsdale in the second half.

PHOTO/COURTESY