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Arsenal matched into the EFL Cup quarterfinal with a dominant display against Championship side Preston North End.
Arteta recalled William Saliba after a one-game ban for the red card against Bournemouth in the Premier League, making him one of the eight changes from the side that drew with Liverpool.
David Raya was rested, and second-choice goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied, which meant teenage goalkeeper Tommy Setford started between the posts.
Raheem Sterling, who scored and assisted in the EFL Cup win over Bolton in the last round, returned to the starting XI, while veteran midfielder Jorginho also came in.
However, the changes mattered for little, as Arsenal came out with a 3-0 victory away at Preston North End.
How it happened
The Gunners showed their dominance from the first minute, dominating the ball and pegging the home side back into their own half.
However, Preston held firm at the back, with Arsenal unable to carve them open. Arteta’s team began to find some spaces after a quarter of an hour, but youngster Ethan Nwaneri sent his effort spiralling over the crossbar in what was the game’s first attempt.
The game’s opening goal came when Preston full-back brought down Gabriel Martinelli close to the box.
The resulting freekick found Jakub Kiwior, who won his aerial duel and headed the cross down towards Gabriel Jesus, who swept it home from close range for his first goal of the season and his first for the Gunners since January 2024.
The Gunners kept up the heat, with Nwaneri spearheading it all with some attempt, and the 17-year-old star finally found the net, firing an unstoppable strike right into the top-left corner from the edge of the box to double the lead.
Arteta made some changes at the break, and one of them was Kai Havertz, who came on for Mikel Merino.
Three minutes to the hour mark, Havertz got his name on the scoresheet as he arrived at the near post to head in a powerful finish from a delightful Kiwior cross, a second assist of the night for the Polish defender.
Next in line for the Gunners is a Saturday afternoon Premier League clash away at St. James Park against Newcastle United.
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