Match Review: Preston 0-3 Arsenal

17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri produced the moment of the match after his left-footed curler found the top corner of Preston's net. A professional win from the Gunners fires us into the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
 

One of Hale End's finest, Ethan Nwaneri, continues his scoring streak in the Carabao Cup, following on from his brace in the previous round against Bolton Wanderers.

Prior to Nwaneri's stunning finish, Gabriel Jesus smashed home the opener after Brazilian teammate Martinelli floated in a teasing ball to the back post. Second half substitute Kai Havertz sealed the win after a sensational header made it three.

A controlling victory made it the perfect way to book our place in the quarter-final, and begin our run of four games away from North London.
 

Jesus gets his first of the season

Mikel Arteta named a changed, but strong starting eleven for our first visit to Deepdale since 2017. Star centre-back William Saliba started after his one-match ban he served against Liverpool, and Jurrien Timber was deemed fit to play after being forced off in the second half on Sunday.

18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford made his debut after signing from Ajax in the summer.

After a bad foul from Preston's right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden on Gabriel Martinelli, we were awarded a free kick situated on the left-hand side of the box. Martinelli floated the ball in deep to the back post where it was met by Jakub Kiwior, who nodded it down for Jesus who thrashed in his first goal of the season.
 

Exhilarating Ethan

Product of Arsenal's well-renowned academy, Hale End, Ethan Nwaneri stole the show for the second Carabao Cup game running. Having had a well-worked effort saved just minutes before, he was sure to capitalise on his next one.

Gabriel Jesus fed Nwaneri the ball just outside of the penalty area who took the ball excellently on the turn. This created the room he needed to find the top left-hand corner of the net, and left Preston keeper Freddie Woodman rooted to the spot.

The 5,656 travelling Gooners were quick to reward Nwaneri with a chant of "Ethan Nwaneri, he's one of our own!" A moment to treasure for the teenager as he scored his first away goal, with 'surely' many more still yet to come.
 

Done deal

Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino were both replaced at half-time as a result of starting the game on Sunday. The manager revealed in his post-match press conference that this "was planned". The pair were replaced by Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz.

Just over 10 minutes later, Kai Havertz added his name to the scoresheet after a well-placed header met a sublime cross from Kiwior, who registered his second assist on the night.

Two more academy graduates came on just after the 60th minute, one more well-known than the other. Bukayo Saka replaced Martinelli who had virtually played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool on Sunday. Alongside Saka was 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who replaced the returning Zinchenko. These substitutions bolstered the team's energy and helped to see out the final 30 minutes.

With just 15 minutes left to play, that man again, Ethan Nwaneri, clipped the bar after a magnificent touch allowed him to beat his man and almost find the far top-corner.

As the game entered the dying embers, the boss gave yet another teenager a chance to play in the first-team. Ayden Heaven, 18-years-old, made his debut and replaced the standout Ethan Nwaneri.

The game ended as the Gunners proved to be too difficult for the only Championship side left in the competition.
 

Upcoming fixture

Next up in our run of games away from home is a trip to the North East. We take on Newcastle United in Saturday's early kick off.

In a short turnaround after last evening's game, the squad's legs will be tested as we prepare for our third game within a week.

It will be our first trip to St. James' Park since our controversial 1-0 loss there almost exactly a year ago.