Arsenal soared past AFC Wimbledon into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win and Mikel Arteta appears to be prioritising the competition as a viable trophy for his side to compete for this season.
Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring for the Gunners from the penalty spot before Nuno Tavares came close to doubling Arsenal's lead after striking the woodwork in what was a strong lineup to face their League One visitors.
Emile Smith Rowe then doubled his side's lead with just under a quarter of an hour to go after coming off the bench for the returning Thomas Partey, who played as he bid to up his fitness ahead of the North London derby.
Eddie Nketiah then added Arsenal's third and final goal of the game, sealing a fourth-round clash that welcomes Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta, who spent three years working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has been told by our The Arsenal Way panel that he should now eye the Carabao Cup as a springboard to success in North London - much like how his fellow Spaniard has achieved at the Etihad through winning the competition.
Tom Canton, The Arsenal Way writer and presenter, and Chris Davison argued that the Arsenal boss must eye the competition as a primary target due to the Gunners' absence from European competitions this season, live on The Arsenal Way show on YouTube.
Davison suggested that Arteta's strong team selection against the League One side has sent a signal of intent in the Gunners' pursuit of a trophy.
"[Winning the Carabao Cup] Absolutely needs to be Arsenal's priority without the European competitions this season," he said.
"We need to focus on the cup competitions instead and go for it - it should be one of our targets this season in terms of winning silverware and we should try and progress as far as we can.
"Tonight's lineup shows to me that Arteta is quite serious about this competition. A lot of fans were expecting a weaker side with a few younger players, but no, Arteta went full strength to send a signal of intent."
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