Preston North End 0 Arsenal 3: Much-changed Gunners storm into Carabao Cup quarters as they avoid giant-killing
GABRIEL JESUS scored his first goal in 274 days to put Arsenal on course for the quarter finals.
But the Brazilian was upstaged by teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri who is becoming the stand out star of the Carabao Cup for the Gunners.
After grabbing two against Bolton in round three, the 17-year-old underlined his potential AGAIN here by curling home a first half beauty.
He came agonisingly close to adding a couple more too before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the visiting fans just before the end.
While this competition may not be the priority for Mikel Arteta, fans will be hoping they can go all the way so they can see more of Nwaneri.
The only downside to a highly-satisfactory night for the Emirates chief was that his team did not score more.
Preston had won just three of their last 12 matches but they have been hard to beat since Paul Heckingbotham took over early in the season.
They have also done well in this competition – knocking out Championship high-fliers Sunderland and then claiming a Prem scalp by sending Fulham out in an epic penalty shoot-out.
But they were no match for Arteta’s side which showed eight changes from the team which drew with Liverpool on Sunday.
The Gunners were in control right from the off with Nwaneri – making only his second start – wasting a decent chance early on.
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At the other end a cross by Sam Greenwood was nodded over by Liam Lindsay but that was as good as it got for the home side.
Midway through the first half a free-kick from the left was swung over by Gabriel Martinelli and Jakub Kiwior put it back into the danger zone.
Jesus was lurking at the near post and volleyed it past Freddie Woodman in the blink of an eye.
Last time the Brazilian was on the mark was the win at Nottingham Forest in late January – so it was long overdue.
It was just what the former Manchester City man needed to boost his confidence and nine minutes later he teed up Nwaneri for the second.
To be fair though, it was all about the youngster as he took it in his stride and curled home a beauty from the edge of the box.
Woodman never moved – he’s been around long enough to know you don’t save those.
Arteta said after Nwaneri’s two goals against Bolton in the last round that ‘the boy is ready’ – and not many will be arguing with him now.
He is the youngest player ever to score on both of his first two Arsenal starts – and you can only think they are first of many.
If North End hoped the visitors might ease off after the break, they were disappointed.
Arteta threw on Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz at the interval as he clearly felt there were more goals to be had.
And it was the German who put the tie beyond any doubt just before the hour – thumping in a header from Kiwior’s cross.
From then it was a question of how many with Woodman making a triple save to keep them at bay and two goals were also ruled out.
Meanwhile Nwaneri floated another ambitious effort which hit the top of the bar.
The youngster had made life hell for North End so maybe it was appropriate that 10 minutes from time he was replaced by another youngster Ayden Heaven.