Managers are often criticised for fielding weakened teams in the EFL Cup, but two players certainly brought their A-game to the third round of the competition this season.

First up was Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka, who made it two long-range goals in two games with another thunderbolt against Nottingham Forest.

Xhaka does it again ! #afc
Another thunderbolt #NFFCvAFC
[@ArsenalTerje]pic.twitter.com/YXyJ5ICblv

— Arsenal Latest (@ArsenalsNews) September 20, 2016

Saturday: Granit Xhaka scores from 30 yards vs. Hull. 🚀
Tuesday: Granit Xhaka scores 30 yards vs. Forest. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Jtwzylv2Hg

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 20, 2016

Don’t back off Xhaka. He loves a shot from range. He lets fly here from 30 yards, Stojkovic helps it into net. 1-0 to #afc.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 20, 2016

Netting from around 30 yards, the Swiss midfielder’s shot took a deflection on the way in, negating its beauty somewhat.

And then Cesar Azpilicueta took more of the gloss off Xhaka’s effort.

WATCH A thunderous volley from Azpilicueta draws #CFC level against #LCFC. Watch SS1 or https://t.co/5MAXE7ujQb https://t.co/Qpw9V6R5cx

— Sky Football ⚽️ (@SkyFootball) September 20, 2016

Well that certainly hit the back of the net. Azpilicueta with an absolute screamer. 2-2 #LCFCvCFC

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 20, 2016

Naturally, fans could not agree which was the better effort (although it was very probably Azpilicueta’s).

Or was it Xhaka’s?

I thought azpilicueta's volley was an absolute screamer until i saw xhaka's long range effort against nottingham.

— izzuddin rashid (@dinrshd_) September 20, 2016

Azpilicueta’s was hit so sweetly on the volley.

Azpilicueta > Xhaka. That's that.

— Zeeshan Masih (@ZeeshanMasih01) September 20, 2016

But then Xhaka’s was from so far out.

Great goal from Azpilicueta! Thunderbolt. He's been watching Xhaka!

— Jade (@Jadelike_) September 20, 2016

Azpilicueta’s goal didn’t take a deflection.

That Azpilicueta thunder bolt of a goal is what Arsenal fans want us to believe Xhaka scored. Deflection tingz 😂😂😂

— NotYourOrdinaryFarax (@Mofam_) September 20, 2016

But Xhaka has scored two like that in less than three days now…

Azpilicueta has been watching them Xhaka vids on YouTube.

— Jeremy Tlau (@Jeremy_Tlau) September 20, 2016

Hmm.

Azpilicueta's goal > Xhaka's goal

— Bolaji (@BadmonBoj) September 20, 2016

We’re just grateful we got to watch two such magnificent goals in one night.

Xhaka and Azpilicueta strikes of the night

— Granit Xhaba (@Thabz_Xaba) September 20, 2016

That ought to settle it.