The EFL has known since the revised format for the three European competitions was agreed by Uefa that their flagship cup competition was going to be affected. It is why, for the past two seasons, the third round has had to be split over two weeks to prevent clubs in the Champions League and Europa League from playing each other.

LONDON -- If Arsenal are going to hang around in the EFL Cup, this is the way to do it. No key men were risked, squad players got much-needed reps and Hale End's finest made the right impression. That all this came with a berth in the quarterfinals of this competition makes it that fraction better.