Much-changed Arsenal coasted into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over Championship side Preston, including a stunner from teenage forward Ethan Nwaneri.
The 17-year-old – scoring his third of the competition – transferred the ball from right to left superbly before bending a sumptuous effort into the top left corner, nine minutes after Gabriel Jesus had scored his first goal since January to put the Gunners ahead.
Jesus had gone 25 games without finding the net, and was grateful to be teed up by Jacob Kiwior from a corner to finally end his goal drought, firing inside the post from close range.
Kiwior then provided a sumptuous delivery for substitute Kai Havertz to head a third midway through the second period, with Arsenal’s efficiency in front of goal becoming a hallmark of recent displays.
Star of the show Nwaneri, who finished the game with a passing accuracy of 98 per cent, struck the crossbar before the night was out, while Bukayo Saka emerged from the bench for the last half hour as he eases back into full stride after a recent hamstring issue – just in time for a Premier League trip to Newcastle this weekend.
Arsenal’s three goals
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Gabriel Jesus’ goal drought ended with his opener for Arsenal against Preston
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Nwaneri, 17, continued impressing for Arsenal with a superb strike from the edge of the area which doubled the lead against Preston
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Kai Havertz came on at half-time for Arsenal and added a third goal with a powerful header
