Arsenal eased into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening as they beat Championship side Preston North End 3-0 at Deepdale.
A well-taken strike from Gabriel Jesus and a stunning effort from distance by teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a commanding lead at the break, with Kai Havertz then adding some gloss to the scoreline with his 57th-minute header.
Despite making nine changes from Sunday’s Premier League draw with Liverpool, Mikel Arteta fielded a strong lineup for the trip to Lancashire. Unsurprisingly, the Gunners dominated the ball in the early stages but Preston’s organisation limited the visitors’ influence in the final third.
Arsenal found themselves ahead following their first meaningful opportunity of the match as Jesus brought his nine-month goal drought to an end. Jakub Kiwior nodded Gabriel Martinelli’s free-kick into the Brazilian’s path and he volleyed home for a first goal in 25 matches.
Arsenal were able to double their lead just nine minutes later following a spectacular strike from 17-year-old Nwaneri. The midfielder, who scored twice in the previous round against Bolton Wanderers, collected the ball from 20 yards and curled an exquisite effort into the top corner.
Havertz completely killed the tie just 12 minutes after the restart as he converted Kiwior’s excellent cross to give Arsenal a three-goal cushion. The German’s well-taken header put the game beyond doubt for the visitors.
Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was forced into a number of saves as the second half progressed – including an excellent triple stop – and Nwaneri almost grabbed himself another brace, but his strike couldn’t evade the top of the crossbar.
Raheem Sterling almost rubbed salt in the wounds in stoppage time as Havertz assisted the Chelsea loanee in the penalty area, but a spectacular goal-line clearance ensured that Arsenal had to settle for a three-goal victory as they enter the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
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