Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United: 5 Talking Points

Arsenal held on nervously to a 1-0 lead over West Ham United to qualify for the semi-finals of the EFL Cup thanks to a goal from Danny Welbeck.

Arsene Wenger made 11 changes to his squad for tonight and David Moyes made 5 but the home side started the game brightly taking chances - even as early as the first minute - and only saw a breakthrough in the minutes leading up to halftime.

West Ham held Arsenal to a point 6 days earlier in the Premier League but couldn't get one past them this time to ensure the same. Here's what we learned:

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#5 This is the year for Arsenal's youngsters

Arsene Wenger, thanks to qualifying for the UEFA Europa League this season, has the ability to call upon the kids from the reserves as well as a bunch of squad players and he's been exploiting that chance quite ruthlessly.

Joe Willock, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Ben Sheaf, Josh DaSilva and Reiss Nelson all got the opportunity to represent the Gunners tonight and they did well to keep their place with the knockout rounds of the Europa League edging closer.

Back at it again

#4 David Moyes is regaining his lost reputation

While they don't go back home today with a win, every West Ham player can rest assured that they're on the right track this season.

With many expecting them to fall down under Slaven Bilic, David Moyes has come in and done a spectacular job with the team earning draws against Manchester City and Arsenal and beating Chelsea, too.

They were at their best tonight even without a host of key individuals and it's all down to Moyes' familiarity with the Premier League and his oppositions.

Theo Walcott was far from how he needs to be should he break into the first team

#3 Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud unconvincing

Made the captain for the game tonight, Theo Walcott had a chance to put Arsenal in the lead in the first half but failed with his header.

Olivier Giroud repeatedly snuffed out his own team's counter-attacks by lazily drifting off-side. And if recent chatter is to go by, then it's safe to understand why both the Englishman and Frenchman are being linked with moves away from the Emirates.

They don't have much longer to prove they're an asset to the squad, Giroud especially given he limped off, but it would be wise for them to explore options in the January transfer window.

Andre Ayew was usually the one fighting Arsenal's midfield

#2 Wanted: Midfielders for East London club

Yes, this wasn't their first team but West Ham seriously lack quality numbers in the centre of the field. No wonder there's talk of them swooping in for Arsenal's Jack Wilshere next month.

Aaron Cresswell was often seeing drifting into the centre of the park as many of his colleagues had abandoned post either going forward or far too wide.

David Moyes has spoken about how he's to improve the squad in the winter transfer window, and is tonight's performance told us one thing about them, it's that they need passers in the middle of the field.

Calum Chambers had another good display at the back alongside compatriot Rob Holding

#1 Back-four likely Arsenal's future

It seems the days of Arsenal playing three at the back are over. For the second game running, Arsene Wenger chose to play three at the back.

While there was talk that Wenger was only doing this given Aaron Ramsey's injury, he had no such reason to justify tonight's decision to start with the twins at the centre of defence.

Arsenal have, however, won both the games they've played a back four in this season.