Arsenal showcased their firepower and tactical prowess as they swept aside Preston North End with a decisive 3-0 win at Deepdale, securing a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
In a performance that saw the Gunners dominate from start to finish, Gabriel Jesus, young star Ethan Nwaneri, and Kai Havertz found the back of the net, demonstrating Arsenal’s depth and determination to capture their first EFL Cup title in over three decades.
The match began with Arsenal exerting control over the ball and pushing Preston deep into their half. Mikel Arteta’s side maintained possession for extended periods, probing Preston’s defense and looking for an opening.
After a few early efforts, the breakthrough finally came in the 24th minute. Gabriel Martinelli’s curling free-kick found Jakub Kiwior, who skillfully headed the ball down into the six-yard box.
Gabriel Jesus seized the moment, driving the ball home for his first goal of the season, ending his personal drought and putting the Gunners ahead 1-0.
Arsenal’s control over the game was clear, with their possession reaching 79% in the first half. Despite a few attempts by Preston to counter, Arsenal’s defense, led by William Saliba and Kiwior, kept them at bay.
Arsenal’s early goal forced Preston to open up their play slightly, but this only left more gaps for the visitors to exploit.
Arsenal continued to press forward, and soon enough, they doubled their advantage. Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who has been making waves since his impressive performance against Bolton in the previous round, displayed his talent with a sensational goal.
After a well-executed one-two with Gabriel Jesus on the edge of the box, Nwaneri fired a curled strike into the top-left corner, leaving Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman with no chance. The crowd, including traveling Arsenal fans, erupted in applause as Nwaneri celebrated his goal, making it 2-0 in the 33rd minute.
The teenager’s skillful finish underscored his potential and composure beyond his years. Arteta’s decision to include young players in his starting lineup proved effective as Nwaneri played with confidence and creativity, frequently combining with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to create dangerous attacks.
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Havertz Adds a Third After the Break
As the second half began, Arteta introduced fresh legs, with Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey entering the game.
The changes kept Arsenal’s momentum alive, as Havertz made an immediate impact by adding a third goal for the Gunners. In the 57th minute, Kiwior delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Havertz met it with a powerful header that flew into the net, putting the game well beyond Preston’s reach at 3-0.
Despite the scoreline, Preston attempted to mount a response. The Lilywhites pushed forward, and both Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Emil Riis Jakobsen came close to finding the back of the net in the later stages.
A spirited effort from Frokjaer saw him break free of Arsenal’s defense, but his shot went narrowly wide of the post. Arsenal’s young goalkeeper, Tommy Setford, was called into action on multiple occasions, making smart saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Defensive Solidity and Tactical Dominance
The Gunner’s dominance was underscored not only by their attacking efficiency but also by their defensive discipline. Saliba, Timber, and Kiwior kept Preston’s attackers at arm’s length, cutting off passing lanes and blocking any attempts on goal.
Preston managed an xG of only 0.74 compared to Arsenal’s 1.7, reflecting Arsenal’s command over both ends of the pitch. Jorginho’s control in midfield also kept Arsenal’s passing rhythm intact, creating a seamless flow from defense to attack.
Arsenal’s tactical discipline and positional awareness helped them control the game from the first whistle. Their high pressing forced Preston into errors, and players like Nwaneri and Sterling capitalized on these mistakes to create further chances.
Arteta’s game plan kept Preston under constant pressure, and the hosts were limited to sporadic attempts on goal, mainly from long-range efforts.
Preston’s Struggles and Lack of Cutting Edge
For Preston, this defeat marks the end of a spirited EFL Cup run. Despite some bright moments and their impressive win over Fulham in the previous round, Preston struggled to create clear-cut chances against Arsenal’s structured defense. Although they did manage to push forward in the final minutes, Arsenal’s defense remained resolute. Manager Paul Heckingbottom made several substitutions to inject energy, but Preston couldn’t break Arsenal’s stronghold.
Preston’s offensive struggles became apparent as they failed to convert their few scoring opportunities. They came closest with Emil Riis’s shot just wide of the near post, but even that couldn’t penetrate Arsenal’s well-drilled backline. The match highlighted Preston’s limitations against Premier League opposition, and despite their best efforts, they couldn’t stop Arsenal from cruising into the quarter-finals.
