Danny Welbeck scored the first-half winner as Arsenal reached the last four of the Carabao Cup.

Arsene Wenger made 11 changes from the side which beat Newcastle on Saturday but it was enough to see off David Moyes' side.

Welbeck gave a hint to Gareth Southgate with his fifth goal of the season – and his first for three months – as he scored past Joe Hart after 43 minutes after Mathieu Debuchy headed Francis Coquellin's cross into the box.

Portuguese teenager Domingos Quina made his West Ham debut after the FA rejected Manuel Lanzini's appeal against his two-match ban for diving.

Theo Walcott and Angelo Ogbonna (
Image:
PA)
The Gunners celebrate their opener in the 42nd minute (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Only 44,741 attended at the Emirates Stadium – the lowest of the season.

Here are five talking points.

1. Is this Wenger's year?

Arsene Wenger gestures from the touchline (
Image:
AFP)

The Frenchman has never won this competition in 21 seasons in English football with the Gunners last lifting the League Cup in 1993.

Wenger has lost two finals and four semi-finals but are now three games away from the trophy.

2. Quina the real deal

Domingos Quina in action (
Image:
PA)

The 18-year-old Portuguese midfielder was given his West Ham debut after Manuel Lanzini lost his appeal for diving today.

He is not huge – 5 ft 8 in – and is no Cristiano Ronald but worked hard up and down the left flank and has a bright future.

3. Arsenal need to keep Giroud

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud reacts (
Image:
REUTERS)

The France striker is growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of game time as he worries about his World Cup place.

His agent reiterated today that he is open to offers in the January window.

But Wenger is reluctant to let him go because he offers his forward line something different and is a great sub to bring off the bench with 20 minutes to go.

4. Hart loses chance to impress Southgate

Joe Hart did't stand a chance when the ball fell to Danny Welbeck (
Image:
REUTERS)

Before recalling the on-loan Manchester City keeper for his Carabao Cup game, David Moyes promised Hart “will play lots of games” for the East London club.

Defeat removes three chances in this competition. Spanish keeper Adrian has kept clean sheets in the last three Premier League games.

How many more chances will Hart get to stake his claim to start against Tunisia on June 18 before the end of the season?

5. Walcott shuffles closer to exit door

Arsenal's Theo Walcott looks on (
Image:
Reuters)

Just over 18 months and counting on Walcott's £140,000-a-week contract.

A woeful header wide from 10 yards in the first half and over-running the ball after the break summed up his mis-firing Arsenal career.

Wonder how the former England hopeful felt watching Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play in central midfield for Liverpool on Sunday – then become an instant Kop hero by protecting Philippe Coutinho in the post-match interview.

Theo Walcott failed to impress Arsenal fans (
Image:
Arsenal FC)
Pedro Obiang of West Ham (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

John Cross' player ratings

Arsenal

Ospina 6; Debuchy 6, Chambers 6, Holding 7, Kolasinac 8; Coquelin 6 (Dasilva, 90), Willock 6 (Sheaf, 84), Elneny 6, Walcott 6, Welbeck 7; Giroud 6 (Nelson, 78).

Subs

Reine-Adelaide, Akpom, Macey, Nelson, Nketiah,

West Ham

Hart 5; Cresswell 6 (Sakho, 65), Reid 6, Collins 6, Ogbonna 6, Masuaku 6; Rice 6, Obiang 6, Quina 7 (Arnautovic, 83), Ayew 6; Hernandez 5 (Carroll, 65, 6).

Subs

Zabaleta, Adrian, Makasi, Haksabanovic

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