Arsenal are into the Carabao Cup quarterfinals after a hard fought 2-1 win over Blackpool.

Both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Gunners full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner slid in his first goal since joining from Juventus before teenager Emile Smith Rowe doubled the Premier League giants' lead after half-time.

Arsenal were coasting until French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was given a second yellow card for pulling back Jordan Thompson, leaving them facing the prospect of playing the final 35 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.

Blackpool, who are mid-table in the third tier, narrowed the gap when centre-back Paudie O'Connor headed in from a corner.

That meant the game turned into a nervier finish than it should have been for Arsenal, who fielded a much-changed side which still contained several experienced stars.

However, Blackpool were also reduced to 10 men with a few minutes left to play when O'Connor was shown a straight red card for scything down Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.