Arsenal 1-0 Doncaster Rovers: Walcott sends Gunners through as Wilshere impresses

Full-time: Arsenal 1-0 Doncaster Rovers

Theo Walcott's strike the difference between the two sides tonight. Arsenal could have had the tie sewn up within the first 15 minutes but in the end had to ride their luck against Doncaster, who were full of endeavour but lacking in quality.

Into stoppage time at The Emirates. Doncaster still plugging away but Wilshere is dragging Arsenal forward. The Gunners win a corner which Iwobi takes, but Giroud cannot find the net with his header.

Wilshere almost makes it 2-0 but his goalbound effort is deflected wide for a corner. Sanchez eventually whips a ball in, but Willock cannot direct his header goalwards.

At the Emirates, Giroud has just hit the side netting for Arsenal.

Full-time: Everton 3-0 Sunderland

A convincing, much-needed win for Everton, who are in the hat for the last 16. A brace from Calvert-Lewin and a lovely Niasse finish hands Ronald Koeman's side a pleasing victory, against a Sunderland side who created little.

Doncaster almost equalise through Mandeville! He does brilliantly to evade three challenges, only to see his shot deflect wide for a corner.

He takes the resulting set-piece, which Blair meets flush, but Ospina tips it over.

A great finish from Niasse! Davies plays the ball to the Senegalese star, who chests the ball down and finishes on the half-volley. Great to see, Niasse is all smiles after a hard 18 months.

GOAL! Everton 3-0 Sunderland (Niasse)

Marquis wastes Doncaster's best chance of the match. Kongolo finds him with a low, rasping delivery but he cannot keep his effort down.

Everton have made their final change - Lennon is on for young Vlasic.

Doncaster win a corner out of Sanchez, but they head the ball over Ospina's goal.

The Gunners race up the other end but Sanchez loses possession and gives away a foul as he tries to win the ball back. He then shouts at the referee, borne out frustration.

A change for Arsenal now - Iwobi comes on for Walcott.

Giroud is down again, holding his ankle after being tackled late. It did not look good for the Frenchman, who may have damaged some ligaments.

Lookman almost made an instant impact!

Kenny rolls the ball into Vlasic, who cuts the ball back for Lookman. The young winger forces a terrific save from Steele, and the rebound goes for a corner.

Mason receives a yellow card for catching Giroud late. The Frenchman is hobbling but looks fine to carry on. Sanchez to take the free-kick... nothing comes of it.

At Goodison, Sandro makes way for Ademola Lookman.

Giroud stands a lovely cross up to the back post but nobody can head towards goal. Nelson picks it up and fires the ball at Lawlor, who parries for a corner.

James Vaughan is inches wide of halving the deficit at Goodison. The forward heads Love's lovely cross just wide of the post. Should have scored, Stekelenburg rooted.

Sanchez darts away from a number of Doncaster bodies but his shot trickles way wide of Lawlor's post.

Ferguson has made a change, with Mandeville coming on for Coppinger.

Wilshere has been Arsenal's best player this evening. He's mopped up danger well and has made some excellent passes on his return to the starting line-up.

At Goodison, Calvert-Lewin is denied the chance of a hat-trick as he makes way Niasse, who is given a rapturous reception.

Giroud tries a stunning overhead kick that is blocked in the Doncaster six-yard box.

May the races down the other end but Maitland-Niles did just about enough to quell the opportunity.

At Goodison Park, Oumar Niasse is set to come on...

Second change for Sunderland - George Honeyman is replaced by Jonny Williams.

Doncaster really trying to get some joy down their right-hand side. Kongolo works space for a cross but is adjudged offside. Encouraging from Rovers, though.

Calvert-Lewin so close to making it three! The 20-year-old is a lick of paint away from completing his hat-trick but his diving header hits the post. So unlucky.

Doncaster are doing their utmost to find the equaliser, but their set-pieces and forays forward comes to nothing.

There is now a brief stoppage in play as Maitland-Niles is suffering from a knock.

Sandro, Vlasic and Klaassen link up well but they all fail to fire at Steele. The referee then sees fit to award a free-kick, for reasons unknown.

Sunderland substitution - Jack Rodwell comes off for Callum Mcmanaman.

Arsenal have kicked off by the way, and they are under pressure. Doncaster have earned a free-kick in a dangerous area, but Wilshere races in to slide the danger away.

He then sets away Giroud, who plays in Walcott, who manages to miss a guilt-edge opportunity to make it 2-0.

GOAL! Everton 2-0 Sunderland (Calvert-Lewin)

A fantastic ball from Sandro plays in Calvert-Lewin, who comes inside and blazes the ball into the top corner with a left-footed effort. Just what Everton needed.

A half-time change for Arsenal - Chambers makes way for Da Silva.

Arsenal and Doncaster have not yet kicked off for the second half, but the players are making their way back onto the pitch.

Sunderland earn a corner after Rodwell causes problems for the likes of Williams and Kenny.

Everton clear initially, and the ball is eventually volleyed to safety by Williams.

Back under way at Goodison Park. Davy Klaassen gets the second half going.

Half-time: Arsenal 1-0 Doncaster Rovers

The Gunners should be further in front but go in with a slender lead at the break. Walcott's goal the difference.

Calvert-Lewin's celebration in GIF form.

Sanchez cuts away from his man but his pass is overcooked. At the other end, Kongolo plays in May, who hits the side netting.

Half-time: Everton 1-0 Sunderland

A scrappy affair, but Everton are comfortable and deserve to be in front. Calvert-Lewin's goal the difference.

The moment Walcott put Arsenal in front.

Doncaster showing sign of life late in the half, but Houghton accidentally kills any momentum with a stray pass that goes straight out of play.

Sanchez darts across the pitch to make space for Nelson, whose cross is blocked. Doncaster then come forward and whip a teasing ball into the Arsenal box, which the hosts take care of.

Calvert-Lewin gets the ball out of his feet and finishes nicely past Steele. The young England star gives the 'keeper no chance, rolling it expertly into the net.

GOAL! Everton 1-0 Sunderland (Calvert-Lewin)

Arsenal win another free-kick, about 35 yards out. Sanchez stands over the ball, but his effort way over the bar. Low-flying birds needed to watch out for that one.

Arsenal concede a corner, which is just about dealt with. Doncaster's only foray forward since the opening exchanges bears no fruit, and the Gunners are back on the ball again.

Vlasic goes close with a fine effort that is just inches away from finding the net. The young Croat has been bright, and almost opened the scoring there.

Besic sells Keane short - not for the first time this evening - and the latter is lucky to escape injury after Vaughan went in two-footed. The Sunderland man is very, very lucky the referee didn't spot that.

A lovely, cultured finish from Walcott. The Englishman latches on to a lovely, weighted ball from Sanchez, takes a touch and dinks it over Lawlor. 1-0, no more than what Arsenal deserve.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Doncaster Rovers (Walcott)

Everton win a free-kick 25 yards out. Sandro whips the ball over the wall but fails to beat the 'keeper, who makes a decent save.

Another Arsenal chance, this time it's Giroud who goes close. The Frenchman connects well with Elneny's cross but places his header on the roof of the net.

Miscommunication between Wright and Lawlor hands Arsenal a chance to pressurise, but it's a chance they spurn rather carelessly.

Sir Alex Ferguson is present, watching over his son's side. No doubt who he'll be rooting for.

Calvert-Lewin and Vlasic have seen efforts missed for Everton at Goodison, where it remains 0-0. The much-changed Blues are on top, but have not been able to find the breakthrough.

Arsenal have a free-kick 40 yards out.

The distance doesn't bother Sanchez, whose rasping effort had to be palmed away by Lawlor. The Gunners need to make their pressure count.

At Goodison, James Vaughan almost had the chance to put Sunderland ahead. A mistake from Besic allowed the former Everton man to bare down on goal, but he couldn't sort his feet out when it came to the crunch.

It's one-way traffic already. Wilshere plays a lovely dinked ball over the top, Giroud connects acrobatically and sees his shot cannon off the bar. What a goal that would have been.

Sanchez almost tests the 'keeper with a cross-cum-shot, but it eventually sails harmlessly wide.

There were claims for an Arsenal penalty just before as Giroud was grappled to the floor, but the referee saw nothing untoward.

Arsenal almost go one-up through Walcott!

The Englishman darts into space in the penalty area but is denied by Steele. Doncaster quickly break up the other end but Mertesacker just about deals with the danger.

Doncaster register the first shot on target this evening, but Kongolo's effort is nothing Ospina can't handle.

A slight change to Everton's formation - Holgate is actually at left-back, Kenny in a more familiar role of right-back.

We are under way at Goodison Park. Still waiting for Arsenal and Doncaster to commence, though.

Both matches set to kick off. At Goodison, there was a period of applause for young Bradley Lowery, who sadly lost his life earlier this year.

Oumar Niasse has been included in an Everton squad for the first time in 500 days, while Jack Wilshere is set to make his first start in 493 days for Arsenal.

Can the two outcasts fight their way back from the footballing wilderness and make an impact tonight?

Goodison has played host to some incredible evenings over the years - Will we see another one tonight?

And a reminder of the Everton vs Sunderland team news:

Everton: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Williams (c), Keane, Holgate, Besic, Davies, Klaassen, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Sandro.

Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Matthews, Kone, Love, Rodwell, Ndong, Honeyman, Gibson, Gooch, Vaughan.

Just 15 minutes until kick-off. A reminder of this evening's teams:

Arsenal: Ospina; Chambers, Mertesacker, Holding; Nelson, Wilshere, Elneny, Niles; Walcott, Alexis; Giroud.

Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Mason, Wright, Butler, Blair, Houghton, Whiteman, Rowe, Kongolo, Coppinger, May.

What a statistic!

Everton's new sponsor has tweeted - ironically, for a bird...

Six of Arsenal's matchday squad this evening have graduated from the club's academy.

Yes, it's only the Carabao Cup, but that is still some going. Kudos, Arsenal.

We've touched upon Nelson, but Wenger thinks he is not the only young Gunner that is set to break through at the Emirates.

"I must say they are comparable to the best I've ever had before. There are some young players who are really promising, and now we are at a stage where the first step is knowing that they have the quality.

"The second step is to continue to develop them through good coaching, and the third is to integrate them in the first team."

An interesting statistic, and one Jack Wilshere will be itching to eradicate.

Lovely old job. Will he be able to replicate this strike tonight? Arsenal fans will certainly hope so.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire...

A big day for Kenny, though he is playing an unfamiliar role. The young defender is primarily a right-back but will operating on the left side of defence this evening.

Koeman has made wholesale changes to the side that lost to Manchester United on Sunday.

Calvert-Lewin, Sandro and Vlasic have been drafted in, making a rather youthful, energetic attack, while Davies, Besic and Klaassen make up the engine room.

Davies, Keane and Williams are the only players to retain their places, with Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny, who has been on the lips of many Evertonians, come in for Baines and Martina.

Stekelenburg is in for Pickford, who is omitted from the squad entirely, along with Wayne Rooney. Gylfi Sigurdsson is named on the bench, along with Oumar Niasse of all people.

11 changes for Arsenal this evening, but still a rather strong side. Sanchez is in as continues his quest to build up his fitness, while Wilshere, Nelson, Walcott and Elneny are also into start.

Calum Chambers has been afforded a rare opportunity in the defensive three alongside Mertesacker and Holding, while Ospina comes in for Cech.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is given another nod too, while Giroud, who looked rather sullen walking in, spearheads the attack.

Arsenal vs Doncaster Rovers team news:

Arsenal: Ospina; Chambers, Mertesacker, Holding; Nelson, Wilshere, Elneny, Niles; Walcott, Alexis; Giroud.

Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Mason, Wright, Butler, Blair, Houghton, Whiteman, Rowe, Kongolo, Coppinger, May.

Everton vs Sunderland team news:

Everton: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Williams (c), Keane, Holgate, Besic, Davies, Klaassen, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Sandro.

Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Matthews, Kone, Love, Rodwell, Ndong, Honeyman, Gibson, Gooch, Vaughan.

TEAM NEWS

Sunderland's team, with a few former Toffees...

TEAM NEWS

This is how Everton line up against Sunderland:

TEAM NEWS

Doncaster's XI and subs:

TEAM NEWS

The Arsenal line-up in fancy graphic form:

Some Gunners stars have arrived...

Olivier Giroud does not look best pleased. He will likely start tonight.

Team news just moments away now. How many changes will Wenger and Koeman make? Loads, is my guess.

Along with Arsenal vs Doncaster Rovers, IB Times UK will also provide updates from Goodison Park, where Everton are taking on Sunderland.

Both teams are using the occasion to pay tribute to Bradley Lowery, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The young Sunderland fan touched hearts all over the world and will be remembered with special commemorative shirts tonight.

Arsenal have faced Doncaster in the League Cup before, and were almost on the end of a cup upset back then.

The Rovers were one minute away from knocking the Gunners out but their hopes of completing an upset were dashed in dying moments, when Gilberto Silva equalised in the 119th minute.

Arsenal went on to win the match on penalties, but they will be hoping that spot-kicks won't be needed this time around.

Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson, the son of Wenger's former nemesis Alex, will not go down without a fight in north London.

Arsene Wenger will ring the changes this evening and has apparently seen fit to afford Reiss Nelson the chance to start against Doncaster Rovers.

Many had hoped to see the young attacker start against Koln in the Europa League last week, but Wenger has instead decided to keep him back a week and play him in a match with less riding on it for an Arsenal perspective.

Will Nelson steal the column inches in tomorrow's papers?

Good evening and welcome to IB Times UK's live coverage of Arsenal vs Doncaster Rovers.

The Carabao Cup tends to take a backseat for most of the participating clubs, who are usually more concerned with league matters, but Arsene Wenger's men will not want to suffer a defeat against League One outfit Doncaster and the predictable criticism that would no doubt follow suit.

Wenger is unlikely to field many, if any of his big guns this evening, but he will be hoping to avoid of the shock provided by Bradford City in the same competition many moons ago.

Stay with IB Times UK for all the latest news, updates and reaction to the happenings at The Emirates Stadium.