- Goals from Jesus, Nwaneri and Havertz sealed the win for Arsenal on the road
- Nwaneri deserves more time after a brilliant goal, writes Isaan Khan
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If Ethan Nwaneri reaches the heights he is expected to reach in the coming years, Preston North End will likely embark on a long highlights reel on a foggy October evening.
After 33 minutes, Nwaneri received the ball just outside the penalty area. He shuffled on the wand of his left foot before firing it past goalkeeper Freddie Woodman into the top left corner.
It was unstoppable in nature and incredible in technique; the ball curled away at a terrifying pace. The goal was similar to the goal scored by seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal for Spain against France during the European Championships in the summer.
Nwaneri’s talent is no secret. Arsenal fans have long been calling for Mikel Arteta to be given more playing time. By the end of the match the visiting supporters had broken out into a rendition of: ‘Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own’.
Since the teenager became the Premier League’s youngest player at 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022, his first-team opportunities have often felt limited.
Ethan Nwaneri had a night to remember in Arsenal’s routine win against Preston North End
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring at Deepdale as Mikel Arteta’s side powered past their rivals
Kai Havertz was also in good form as he took victory on the road in midweek action
After last night’s display, you get the feeling that even Arteta can no longer keep this starlet’s door half open.
It wasn’t just the goal either. His overall play, especially in the first half, stood out. He kept finding himself in goal-threatening positions, and also with step-overs. A breakout evening for a star with a lot of promise.
Arteta said: ‘He did it yesterday in training, so we’re getting used to that.
“He is a great talent, he has the right attitude, he has the right players and context around him and we have to make sure we work brick by brick. But we have a player there!’
Tommy Setford, 18, started in net while David Raya rested.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was surprisingly left on the bench, while Jurrien Timber started after tiring in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after 24 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli’s free-kick was headed to Jesus by Jakub Kiwior at the back post, who unleashed a powerful half-volley into the net.
Raheem Sterling had early possession but looked rigid on the ball and struggled to get forward.
The match was safe for the Gunners at half-time, thanks to Nwaneri’s great strike, although Arteta decided to use his big players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey.
An interesting decision amid recent injuries and a packed schedule, but exhaustion nonetheless.
The youth from the youth had been screaming for more minutes and was rightly rewarded on Wednesday evening
Reserve goalkeeper Tommy Setford was named in the starting XI while David Raya was rested
Mikel Arteta’s side will face Crystal Palace in their Carabao Cup quarter-final
Preston’s Mads Frokjaer-Jensen was pushed through and swept his chance wide of Setford – although fortunately he was offside.
Jesus was denied a second goal by a fine save from Woodman after substitute Havertz got on the scoresheet, but the night belonged to Nwaneri. Remember the name.