Brentford were made to pay for a poor first half performance as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates.

Two first half goals from Danny Welbeck and an injury time strike by substitute Alexandre Lacazette was enough to give Unai Emery’s side a ticket to the fourth round while Alan Judge’s superb second half free kick will go down as mere consolation.

Dean Smith’s side will be left to rue a first half which saw Brentford sit back and soak up pressure without firing a shot.

As good as Arsenal were, the Bees allowed their city neighbours the space to play in the first half before changing tactics at the break, and they very nearly reaped the rewards at full time.

Welbeck needed a big performance and got on the score sheet inside five minutes. From a short corner the England international superbly headed in Guendouzi’s cross.

He doubled Arsenal’s lead ten minutes before the break when a sweeping counter attack was finished with the former Manchester United man tucking home Monreals cross.

Dean Smith must have said some strong words at the break as Brentford came out firing. Dominating possession they came close via Sergi Canos and Yohan Barbet as they mounted sustained attacks. They grew in belief and got their reward thanks to Judge’s perfectly placed 25-yard free-kick which left stand in keeper Bernd Leno no chance in goal.

Brentford’s dominance was telling as Emery turned to his big names on the bench to see out the game as Torreira, Lacazette and Ramsey were all introduced.

Arsenal’s bench proved the difference as the home side settled and Lacazette tucked home to put an anxious crowd at ease in injury time and leave the travelling fans thinking what could have been.