Arsenal eased through to the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup with an assured 3-0 win against Preston North End at Deepdale on Wednesday. The visitors were in commanding mode as Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal ahead in the 24th minute, with Jakub Kiwior providing a headed assist.
Nine minutes later, teenage star Ethan Nwaneri curled a delicious left-footed shot into the top-left corner from the edge of the area, teed up by Jesus. Arsenal extended their lead after the break, with Kiwior assisting again as he delivered a pinpoint cross for Kai Havertz to head past Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Woodman shortly afterwards denied Raheem Sterling twice, before Stefan Thordarson nearly diverted an Arsenal set-piece into his own goal. Nwaneri then hit the crossbar with a stunning effort as Arsenal eased through.
This win stretches Arsenal’s unbeaten run in EFL Cup games against sides outside the top flight to 13 matches, where they have scored 41 and conceded just five since 2015. Preston continue to struggle in the EFL Cup as an eighth elimination at this stage means they still hold the unwanted record of having played the most games – 185 – without reaching the quarterfinals. Arsenal next turn their attention to Saturday’s Premier League visit from Newcastle United.
