West Bromwich Albion hosted an in-form Arsenal side in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening.
Both teams made a number of changes for the contest and chances proved to be rare on a tight evening at the Hawthorns.
Thomas Eisfeld opened the scoring for the visitors before Saido Berahino equalised to force extra time.
The match went to penalties and, despite taking an early lead in the shootout, the Baggies were eventually knocked out when Nacho Monreal secured a 4-3 triumph for Arsenal.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded in the third round clash.
Good evening. Arsenal have been on a roll lately. Top of the Premier League and everything looks good for the Gunners. Can West Brom end that run tonight? Stick with me to stay updated with this intriguing cup contest.
The evening's headlines might be dominated by a certain Uruguayan forward making his return but the action at The Hawthorns is likely to be just as entertaining. West Brom will want to upset Arsene Wenger's men after kick-starting their season with a win over Sunderland.
We're still awaiting team news from both clubs. A reminder that this match kicks off at 8pm.
In truth, Arsenal have been on fire. Can you remember the criticism after that opening-day defeat to Aston Villa? That seems like a distant memory to me.
Steve Clarke may have been feeling a bit of pressure following West Brom's poor start to the season but that convincing win over Sunderland may have changed things. On their day, we've seen what the Baggies can do against the big sides.
WEST BROM: L Daniels, Reid, Dawson, Lugano, Popov, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Sinclair, Berahino, Long
ARSENAL: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Hayden, Arteta, Eisfeld, Ryo, Bendtner, Gnabry
WEST BROM SUBSTITUTES: Camp (gk), McAuley, J Olsson, Rosenberg, Amalfitano, Morrison, Jones
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Viviano, Bellerin, Flamini, Olsson, Iwobi, Akpom, Park
As expected, Arsenal make plenty of changes for tonight's match. Wenger has always given the younger players a chance in this competition but they'll have to play well to get past the Baggies, who also welcome a couple of fringe players into the side.
The good news for Arsenal fans is that Mikel Arteta returns from injury to start in midfield. Nicklas Bendtner, who continues to divide opinion in North London, starts in an Arsenal shirt for the first time since August 2011.
Stephane Sessegnon, Scott Sinclair, Saido Berahino and Shane Long. That looks like a pretty exciting attacking four to me and I'm sure they won't allow the visitors to have an easy night.
The bookmakers might tell you that Arsenal are favourites tonight but, having looked at both sides, I'd say we could be in for a pretty even contest. West Brom supporters will fancy their chances of progressing.
You've got plenty of choice tonight. If you want to keep an eye on the other games, we've also got coverage of Man Utd vs. Liverpool and Newcastle vs. Leeds in the Capital One Cup.
Another player who comes in for the hosts tonight is Diego Lugano. The Urugayan defender looks like a great addition and he'll bring vital experience to the back four tonight.
Mr Bendtner, what have you got in store for us this evening? Wenger claimed that the forward can be unstoppable on his day.Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, I don't think we've seen that form too often but tonight provides a great opportunity for the Dane.
I'm sure Wenger doesn't see this competition as a priority but it does offer the possibility of that length run without a trophy. The Arsenal youngsters have impressed us before, will they do it again?
PREDICTION: It's time for me to make a fool of myself. I could be wrong and I usually am, but I think we could be in for a long evening. West Brom to steal it 2-1 in extra time.
We're almost ready to begin. The teams are just about to come out of the changing rooms. Keep your fingers crossed for a Capital One Cup thriller.
The players are heading out of the tunnel now. We're just moments away from kick-off.
It's certainly not a full house inside the ground tonight but sometimes that's the case in this competition. West Brom will get the match started.
The hosts start confidently and are immediately on the front foot but a poor pass from Berahino ends a promising attack.
Bendtner gets his first touch of the game when Gnabry picks the forward out in the box. West Brom defend in numbers to limit the Dane's options.
CHANCE! Reid delivers a brilliant cross from the right side of midfield to Long, who heads the ball straight onto to the thigh of Jenkinson. Fabianski reacts well to collect the ball.
Dorrans has looked lively for the hosts in the early stages and he almost finds himself in a good position outside the box before a slip ends what looked like a decent attacking chance.
Arsenal have started to settle down now. Arteta is seeing more of the ball in midfield. The Spaniard needs to play well to help out Isaac Hayden and Thomas Eisfeld tonight.
Jenkinson carelessly gives the ball away on the right when Arsenal send some players forward. The visitors quickly win the ball back and Bendtner attempts to get on the end of a long pass but instead collides with the post.
Bendtner quickly recovers from the painful blow but there's some more concern from Arsenal's bench when Monreal collides with Long. The West Brom forward hobbles away, while the Gunners defender takes his time to get back to his feet.
There doesn't seem to be a link between defence and attack for the hosts at the moment. Mulumbu gives the ball away in midfield and the home supporters voice their disappointment.
Long peels away from Mertesacker and wants the ball from Mulumbu but the midfielder's delivery is too strong and Arsenal have a goal kick. Just a hint of a chance there.
Dawson delivers a long ball towards Long, who does well to win a corner by putting pressure on Vermaelen.
West Brom take the corner short and take their time to deliver a cross. Mulumbu whips the ball into a dangerous area but Fabianski reacts well to punch clear.
In truth, the passing has been very poor from both sides early on. Jenkinson threatens to break through with a sprint from defence but his lazy ball is intercepted by Lugano.
Much better from the hosts. The Baggies attack at pace and Berahino delivers a good cross into the six yard box. Fabianski once again reacts quickest to collect the ball.
West Brom look like they might have some more joy on the right side again but Arsenaly youngster Hayden steps in to make a crucial interception.
Daniels launches a big goal kick towards Long, who wins the aerial battle with Mertesacker but is left frustrated when he's adjudged to have fouled the German defender.
Bendtner thinks luck might be on his side when he collects the ball in plenty of space behind the defence but a quick glance to the right and he knows he's strayed off-side.
SHOT! Dorrans fires a wild effort over the crossbar when he's gifted some space outside the box.
SHOT! Arteta gives away a foul 25 yards from his own goal when he trips Mulumbu. Dorrans takes the free kick but his effort is deflected wide.
CLOSE! Dawson rises highest when the corner is taken and loops his header over the crossbar. The game comes to a halt when Hayden goes down holding his head but he'll be fine to continue.
Bendtner wins the header when Arsenal go long but Gnabry can't do enough to keep the attack going and he eventually loses the ball.
Popov wins the ball superbly on the left side of midfield but he pushes his luck just moments later as he drills a shot wide of the target.
Jenkinson delivers an inviting ball into the area to force West Brom to concede a corner with Miyaichi lurking. The hosts defend the set-piece impressively and prevent Gnabry from reigniting the attack.
Not too much to report as the game edges closer to the interval. I don't think either team can claim that they've done enough to be ahead.
YELLOW CARD! Hayden goes into the book on his debut when he tackles Mulumbu recklessly in midfield. Fair decision from the referee.
Steve Clarke really isn't happy with that tackle. Mulumbu is limping away following some treatment. I've seen players sent off for tackles like that, so maybe Hayden should count himself lucky.
YELLOW CARD! Good football from the hosts. Dorrans is the creator but it's Berahino who wins a free kick on the right from Monreal, who is booked.
SHOT! Just two players in the wall for Arsenal but they're not needed as Dorrans wastes a good chance by firing wide.
The ball almost drops for Gnabry in the box but Dawson steps in to clear the danger. Arsenal haven't offered much in attack in this first half.
SHOT! Jenkinson whips in a good ball from the right. Monreal eventually collects the cross on the left side of the box but his effort is well blocked by Dawson.
Sinclair, Sessegnon and Berahino are the men who could do the damage but the attacking trio haven't got close enough to Long, who has looked an isolated figure at times tonight.
CLOSE! Gnabry delivers a good corner from the right to create confusion in the West Brom box. However, none of the Arsenal players are able to react and the hosts eventually clear.
Bendtner is struggling to win any of his aerial battles with Lugano this evening. The Uruguayan should be very happy with his work so far this evening.
CROSSBAR! The fourth official signals three minutes of stoppage time. Vermaelen gifts West Brom a free-kick. Reid fires the ball towards the top corner but it doesn't drop in time and instead clips the bar. The Baggies are still awarded a corner, which they fail to use effectively.
Sinclair threatens to burst into space on the left wing but he can't believe his luck when the referee gives a foul for the challenge made on Gnabry.
HALF-TIME: WEST BROM 0-0 ARSENAL
If we're going to see the exciting contest we were hoping for, then the second half will have to be a thriller. Neither side have impressed in the first half and chances have been very rare.
Reid clipping the crossbar is the closest we've seen to a goal tonight. West Brom look slightly more threatening in the final third of the pitch but they must give help to Long in attack.
Arsenal must increase the tempo after the break. There's not too many options on the bench though, so Wenger will want the current 11 players to improve in the second half.
Morgan Almafitano and James Morrison could both be used in the second half if Clarke senses that his side could steal a victory without putting his regulars in too much danger.
Are we heading for extra time? Can either side improve enough to claim victory in the second half? Both teams are heading out of the tunnel now to give us an answer.
Arsenal will get the second half underway as soon as Sandstorm by Darude stops playing over the sound system inside the ground.
Arsenal start confidently, attacking towards their own supporters. Eisfeld plays a couple of nice early passes. Much better tempo already.
SHOT! Chance missed by Eisfeld. The ball comes to the young midfielder on the edge of the box but he drills his shot over the crossbar.
Popov is under big pressure when Bendtner flicks the ball on inside the box. However, the defender gets out of trouble when Gnabry commits a needless foul.
Bendtner threatens to create some space for himself when he controls the ball impressively on the edge of the box. Lugano once again reacts well to step in and dispossess the striker.
YELLOW CARD! Classic Shane Long. It looks like a lost cause for the forward but he manages to reach the ball before Vermaelen and wins a free kick. Arsenal's skipper is booked for the challenge.
Mertesacker clears the original cross from Dorrans but the hosts quickly win the ball back. Berahino looks like he might reach a pass from Popov but the forward slips at a crucial time.
Dawson and Lugano both attempt to reach a deep corner from Dorrans, who hits the cross to firmly for the defenders. Good spell for the Baggies.
CLOSE! Dorrans delivers his best cross of the night from the right wing but Mertesacker makes a vital clearance to deny Sessegnon an opportunity.
Gnabry displays good pace to skip past Sinclair, who can't help but foul his fellow winger. Arsenal fail to us the free kick well enough to create a chance and it's Dawson who clears the danger.
The West Brom supporters are on their feet when Sessegnon tricks his way past a couple of Arsenal defenders. His pass is just too short for Berahino, who can't get a shot in before the opportunity disappears.
SAVE! Finally, one of the goalkeepers is forced into a save. Sessegnon drifts in from the right before picking out Mulumbu, who fires a powerful effort at goal. Fabianski pushes the ball away. West Brom on top at the moment.
GOAL! WEST BROM 0-1 ARSENAL (EISFELD)
Arsenal make the breakthrough against the run of play. Bendtner is gifted too much space and he takes advantage to release Eisfeld with a lovely pass. The German midfielder makes no mistake as he calmly slots the ball into the bottom corner. Excellent goal.
Can West Brom respond? Arsenal have looked bright in the couple of minutes since the goal, with Hayden and Eisfeld both getting on the ball in midfield.
SHOT! Sessegnon picks out Popov after collecting a deep cross from Long. West Brom's defender steadies himself but his effort is poor from outside the area.
Gnabry is starting to see a bit more of the ball now as he dances past a couple of defenders on the right. His cross isn't brilliant though and West Brom clear the danger.
Steve Bould is screaming orders at the Arsenal players, who are responding well by not allowing the West Brom midfielders any time on the ball. Excellent pressure.
Sessegnon and Sinclair link well on the left wing but Mertesacker calmly clears away two crosses. No nonsense defending from the German.
GOAL! WEST BROM 1-1 ARSENAL (BERAHINO)
Arsenal fans, look away. The visitors fail to clear corner and Berahino is left unmarked when Long lobs the ball back into the area. Berahino makes no mistake with his header and the Baggies are back on level terms!
SHOT! That goal has certainly changed things. West Brom are applying all of the pressure now as Mulumbu fires a shot against an Arsenal leg inside the box.
Poor from Mulumbu. The midfielder wins the ball on the halfway line but hands possession back to Arsenal with a lazy pass just as it looked like the hosts could launch a counter attack.
Miyaichi hasn't had the best of games tonight but he holds off a couple of challenges well on the left to retain possession for his side. Will there be a winner in normal time?
Popov can't face the disappointed looks from his peers when he allows the ball to roll out of play following an awful first touch. Not his finest moment tonight.
CLOSE! Lugano gets his head on a corner from Dorrans but Jenkinson does well to nod the ball over the crossbar before it can be flicked in.
Arsenal clear the second corner but a lack of numbers in advanced positions means Reid can easily prevent a counter attack from gathering momentum.
CHANCE! Berhaino is clearly full of confidence but he should have done better with this opportunity. Sinclair slides a ball through for the forward, who drills his shot wide of the target.
SUBSTITUTION: Chuba Akpom comes on to replace the goalscorer Eisfeld. Gnabry breaks free on the right wing but his effort is weak and off target.
SUBSTITUTION: Hayden heads off after playing 83 minutes and he's replaced by another new boy as Kristoffer Olsson makes his debut.
YELLOW CARD! Arteta goes into the book for a cynical foul on Sessegnon as the Baggies looked to break forward.
Dorrans delivers a great free kick but Lugano is punished for an apparent foul and Arsenal survive.
It's West Brom who look the most likely to find a winner in normal time but some poor decision making in the final third means that they are struggling to create opportunities.
YELLOW CARD! Lugano can't believe the decision when he's booked for a sliding challenge on Mertesacker.
Arteta delivers the free kick and Bendtner rises well to head the ball across goal. However, Daniels is the quickest to react and he collects the ball.
There's going to be three minutes of stoppage time/. It's looks like we're going to see an extra 30 minutes.
CLOSE! Jenkinson delivers an excellent cross from the right but neither Gnabry or Bendtner can make contact in the six yard box.
Jenkinson plays an optimistic long ball towards Bendtner, who can't control as West Brom recover to clear the danger.
FULL-TIME: WEST BROM 1-1 ARSENAL (EXTRA TIME TO BE PLAYED)
The second half was certainly better than the first 45 minutes but the two sides have still not been separated. West Brom were probably the better team but Arsenal have done enough to force extra time.
It's difficult to name a favourite in this tie and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw penalties. Clarke may turn to his bench very soon.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Clarke reacts even sooner than first thought. James Morrison and Markus Rosenberg are on to replace Mulumbu and Long. The Baggies get the action back underway.
Great start to the first period of extra time by the hosts. Rosenberg is involved as Sessegnon finds himself in space inside the box to force Mertesacker into a difficult clearance.
Morrison combines well with Dorrans before the former delivers a cross which Vermaelen heads away. Arsenal on the back foot at the moment.
SUBSTITUTION: Not great news for Arsenal supporters. Arteta walks off complaining of a problem in his left leg and he's replaced by Hector Bellerin.
CHANCE! Oh dear, terrible moment for Bendtner. The forward has a clear route to goal but he wastes too much time and is tackled by Lugano. The Arsenal supporters can't believe it.
Morrison attempts a longer ball over the Arsenal defence but Rosenberg can't control it with an outstretched leg.
YELLOW CARD! Reid is late with his challenge on Miyaichi and he's rightly booked by the referee.
SUBSTITUTION: Berahino comes off as Clarke uses his final change to introduce Amalfitano.
Arsenal are beginning to see much more of the ball but West Brom are still applying pressure in midfield. How costly could that missed chance from Bendtner be?
Bendtner is close to having another chance when Gnabry comes close to delivering an excellent pass. Great defending again from Dawson.
Sinclair cuts in from the left to deliver a cross but Fabianski is able to collect under no pressure at all. Just one added minute in the first half of extra time.
END OF FIRST PERIOD IN EXTRA TIME: WEST BROM 1-1 ARSENAL
Just 15 more minutes for one of the two sides to find a winner. Are we heading for penalties? Could there be some late drama?
Not too much time for the two sides to swap sides as Arsenal prepare to get the action back underway.
There's plenty of space in midfield for both sides at the start of the second period in extra time. Just not enough quality in the final third this evening.
Bendtner is given a lecture by the referee when he kicks the ball towards the ball boys after being given off side. The forward quickly apologises before the game resumes.
Sessegnon is the kind of player who could find a breakthrough at this stage but he has no luck when he cuts inside as Jenkinson blocks a powerful shot.
CHANCE! A deep cross finds Rosenberg at the back post but the forward fires his shot into the side-netting.
Reid is applauded for a superb tackle when he slides in to dispossess Monreal and prevent an Arsenal attack from gathering momentum.
SHOT! Bellerin fancies his chance from distance but his low shot is easily gathered by Daniels.
SHOT! Bellerin creates space for himself again on the edge of the box but he makes the wrong decision when he fires wide with teammates in space to his right.
Sessegnon dribbles his way into the box before finding Rosenberg, who loses possession in a good position.
CROSSBAR! Was that the final chance of the match? Amalfitano turns well in the box but rattles the crossbar with a powerful shot.
CHANCE! Rosenberg beats Fabianski with his lobbed effort but Vermaelen clears the ball off the line.
CHANCE! Arsenal are living very, very dangerously. Rosenberg picks out Sinclair with a chipped cross but the winger slices his shot wide. The visitors might settle for penalties from this position.
Akpom gets himself into a great position but his cross is poor and the Baggies clear before seeing a counter attack of their own break down.
FULL-TIME: WEST BROM 1-1 ARSENAL
Extra time comes to an end without a winner being found, so it's time for penalties. It's impossible to pick a favourite. Who are you backing?
The penalties will be taken in front of the West Brom supporters. Slight advantage for the hosts, maybe.
Reid will take the first penalty for West Brom.
WEST BROM 1-0 ARSENAL: Reid smashes his penalty into the top corner.
WEST BROM 1-1 ARSENAL: Bendtner sends Daniels the wrong way with a good penalty.
WEST BROM 2-1 ARSENAL: Rosenberg drills his penalty down the middle.
WEST BROM 2-1 ARSENAL: Daniels saves! Gnabry is the man to miss first.
WEST BROM 3-1 ARSENAL: Morrison makes no mistake to extend the home side's lead in the shootout.
WEST BROM 3-2 ARSENAL: Olsson keeps a clam ahead to slot his penalty into the bottom corner.
WEST BROM 3-2 ARSENAL: Dawson misses with an awful penalty wide of the right post.
WEST BROM 3-3 ARSENAL: Akpom strokes the ball home to pull his side level.
WEST BROM 3-3: Amalfitano shoots wide and Monreal has a chance to win it for his side.
ARSENAL WIN 4-3 ON PENALTIES! Monreal fires his penalty into the back of the net to secure his side's place in the next round.
Tonight's contest wasn't a classic but who can say they don't enjoy a penalty shootout? Well, the West Brom supporters probably didn't enjoy that one. Monreal's penalty means Arsenal will meet Chelsea in the next round.
Thanks for joining me this evening. I hope you all enjoyed the coverage. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
