Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening when they beat Championship side Preston North End 3-0 at Deepdale.
A well-taken strike from Gabriel Jesus and a stunning effort from distance from teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a significant lead at the break, with Kai Havertz after adding some gloss to the scoreboard with his strike from around the 57th minute.
Despite making nine changes from Sunday’s Premier League draw with Liverpool, Mikel Arteta fielded a strong line-up for the trip to Lancashire. Unsurprisingly, the Gunners dominated possession in the early stages, but Preston’s organization limited the visitors’ influence in the final third.
arsenal They took the lead after their first meaningful chance of the game when Jesus ended their nine-month goal drought. Jakub Kiwior nodded Gabriel Martinelli’s free-kick into the path of the Brazilian and volleyed home for his first goal in 25 games.
Arsenal were able to double their lead just nine minutes later after 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 killed off the tie completely just 12 minutes after the restart when he converted Kiwior’s excellent cross to give Arsenal a three-goal cushion. The German’s good header has put the game out of doubt for the visitors.
Preston keeper Freddie Woodman was forced into a number of saves as the second half wore on, including an excellent triple save, and Nwaneri almost grabbed another brace, but his strike could not clear the half top of the crossbar.
Raheem Sterling almost rubbed salt into his wounds in stoppage time when Havertz assisted Chelsea’s sub in the penalty area, but a spectacular goal-line clearance ensured Arsenal had to settle with a three-goal victory as he entered the Carabao Round of 16. cup
