Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a hat-trick to lift the gloom around troubled Arsenal in a 6-0 rout of West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup second round on Wednesday.
Beaten by Brentford and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games, Arsenal arrived at the Hawthorns in turmoil after their worst ever start to a season.
But fortunately for Arteta, Aubameyang was able to make his first start this season after recovering from the Covid-19 and scored Arsenal’s first two goals of the campaign before Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka netted.
The Gabon forward completed his treble just after the hour and Alexandre Lacazette added the sixth.
It won’t buy Arteta much breathing space however as this weekend they face a daunting trip to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Elsewhere, Southampton crushed fourth tier Newport 8-0, with Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring a hat-trick in the biggest away win in the club’s 136-year history.
Burnley beat Newcastle 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park.
The draw for the third round, when teams in European competitions enter, was made on Wednesday night. Manchester City’s defense will start at home to third-tier side Wycombe.
In matchups between Premier League teams, Manchester United will play West Ham, Tottenham takes on Wolverhampton, Chelsea faces Aston Villa and Liverpool goes to Norwich.