Teenage striker Ethan Nwaneri scored a rifled goal for Arsenal as they comfortably defeated Preston North End in the EFL Cup quarter-final. Manager Mikel Arteta fielded a strong but rotated starting XI, with Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring and Kai Havertz wrapping up the win in the second half. Despite a solid performance, Raheem Sterling was unable to find the back of the net, with an effort cleared off the line in the dying moments.
Preston North End, the final Championship side left in the competition, struggled to challenge their Premier League opponents, with their only real chance coming in the 78th minute. Arteta will be pleased with his side’s performance as they prepare for a league match against Newcastle United. The Gunners showed the EFL Cup the respect it deserves as they aim to compete for the trophy this season.
Gabriel Jesus was named Player of the Match for his performance, which included a calm finish to open the scoring. The Brazilian striker kept the Preston defense busy and played a role in Nwaneri’s second goal. Jesus’s professionalism and composure throughout the match bode well for the remainder of the season, despite not having scored since January.
Player ratings for the match included standout performances from Nwaneri, Sterling, and Jesus for Arsenal, while Preston players like Woodman, Hughes, and Lindsay also garnered high ratings. Match highlights included Jesus’s opening goal in the 24th minute, Nwaneri’s rifled effort to double the lead, and Havertz’s header to secure the victory. Notable moments also included a double save by Preston goalkeeper Woodman and a late effort from Riis that went wide.
It was a dominant display from Arsenal as they advanced to the EFL Cup quarter-finals, showing their intention to challenge for the trophy this season. With key players like Jesus and Sterling leading the attack, and promising young talents like Nwaneri making an impact, the Gunners will look to carry this form into their upcoming matches. Arteta’s decision to field a strong lineup and secure the win against Preston highlights the importance of the competition among Arsenal’s season priorities.
