Arsenal dominate Carabao Cup best XI after Forest thrashing

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy (Southampton) – 7.82 rating

Southampton secured a fine 4-0 win at rivals Portsmouth to book their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup, but it was not plain sailing for the Premier League outfit. Indeed, Alex McCarthy makes the best XI of the third round of the competition having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.82 as he made four saves in a clean-sheet attaining performance.

 Right-back: Calum Chambers (Arsenal) – 9.29 rating

The first of four Arsenal players to make the cut, and continuing the Southampton link to kick off this best XI, Calum Chambers excelled for the Gunners as his WhoScored rating (9.29) suggests. Indeed, the defender registered a hat-trick of assists as Arsenal trounced Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates, with each of his key passes resulting in a goal. Five interceptions and four tackles helped him land his place in this XI.

 Centre-back: Maya Yoshida (Southampton) – 8.23 rating

 The second of two Southampton players to be included in this XI, Maya Yoshida earned himself a WhoScored rating of 823 at Fratton Park, with his seven aerial duels won helping Saints to their spot in the fourth round. Five interceptions, four clearances and two tackles contributed towards the Japan centre-back’s place at the heart of the defence.

 Centre-back: Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) – 8.39 rating

 Chelsea set up a fourth round meeting with old adversaries Manchester United with a smashing 7-1 win over Grimsby at Stamford Bridge, with Kurt Zouma the first of two Chelsea players to feature in this XI. The French defender netted early in the second half and won five aerial duels to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.39.

 Left-back: James Milner (Liverpool) – 9.59 rating

 A much-changed Liverpool side made light work of MK Dons as they earned a 2-0 win away from home. Experienced James Milner reprised his role at left-back for the comfortable victory as he scored one and assisted another from respective returns of two shots and three key passes. Defensively sound, too, the 33-year-old made three tackles and three clearances to gain a WhoScored rating of 9.59.

Right midfield: Demarai Gray (Leicester) – 8.94 rating

 Leicester ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Luton on Tuesday night with Demarai Gray doing his starting chances no harm at all, as he gained a WhoScored rating of 8.94 at Kenilworth Road. The young winger scored once from eight shots and registered one assist from three key passes. Two additional tackles helped the 23-year-old gain such a commendable score.

 Central midfield: Joe Willock (Arsenal) – 8.60 rating

The second of four Arsenal players to feature, Joe Willock celebrated his recent new contract with a fine performance against Championship side Nottingham Forest as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 8.60 at the Emirates. The 20-year-old hit the back of the net with one of his four shots and put in a solid shift off the ball as he made four interceptions and three tackles in the victory.

Central midfield: Youri Tielemans (Leicester) – 9.55 rating

Putting in a man of the match performance for the Foxes, Youri Tielemans came away from Leicester’s 4-0 win at Luton with a WhoScored rating of 9.55. The Belgian scored from one of three shots and provided an assist in the victory, though the latter could have been higher having made a notable six key passes in a superb showing.

Left midfield: Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) – 9.61 rating

Earning the WhoScored man of the match award for Arsenal against Forest, Reiss Nelson continues to impress when handed the opportunity to showcase his talent by boss Unai Emery as the attacker secured a WhoScored rating of 9.61 on Tuesday night. Nelson scored from one of four shots, and could have had a second having struck the woodwork, while his sole assist came from four key passes. Three successful dribbles capped a brilliant outing from the 19-year-old.

 Striker: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) – 9.51 rating

Rounding off the Arsenal contingent is Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli. The 18-year-old bagged a brace from six shots in the 5-0 triumph to set up a fourth round meeting with Liverpool, with his two shots on target finding a way past Arijanet Muric. Two tackles was enough to help Martinelli return a WhoScored rating of 9.51.

 Striker: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) – 9.75 rating

Our Carabao Cup player of the round, Michy Batshuayi gave head coach Frank Lampard a timely reminder of his goalscoring credentials with a brace in Chelsea’s 7-1 win over Grimsby. The Belgian also helped himself to an assist as the striker yielded a WhoScored rating of 9.75 on Wednesday night.