- Goals from Jesus, Nwaneri, and Havertz sealed the win for Arsenal on the road
- Nwaneri deserves more time after a stunning goal, writes Isaan Khan
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If Ethan Nwaneri hits the heights he is expected to reach in years to come, Preston North End on a misty October night will likely begin a lengthy highlights reel.
On 33 minutes, Nwaneri received the ball just outside the area, shimmying onto that wand of a left foot before fizzing it into the top-left corner past goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
It was unstoppable in nature, and unbelievable in technique, the ball curling away at a frightening pace. The goal had shades of fellow 17-year-old Lamine Yamal’s strike for Spain against France in the summer Euros.
Nwaneri’s talent is no secret, Arsenal fans having long clamoured for Mikel Arteta to give him more game 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’.
Ever since the teenager became the Premier League’s youngest player in September 2022 against Brentford, aged 15 years and 181 days, his opportunities in the first team have often felt limited.
After last night’s display, you feel even Arteta can no longer keep the door half-open on this starlet any longer.
It was not just the goal, either. His overall play, particularly in the first half, stood out. He kept getting into goal-threatening positions, and with step-overs thrown in, too. A breakout night for a star with much promise.
Arteta said: ‘He did it yesterday in training so we’re getting used to that.
‘He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we put brick by brick. But we have some player there!’
Tommy Setford, 18, started in net with David Raya rested.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was, surprisingly, on the bench, while Jurrien Timber started after coming off late in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool with tiredness.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after 24 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli’s free-kick was headed to Jesus, by Jakub Kiwior on the back post, who unleashed a powerful half-volley into the net.
Raheem Sterling enjoyed possession early on but looked rigid on the ball, struggling to make in-roads forward.
The game was safe for the Gunners by half-time, owing to Nwaneri’s superb strike, though Arteta decided to bring on his big guns like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey.
An interesting decision amid recent injuries and a packed schedule, but a run-out nevertheless.
Preston’s Mads Frokjaer-Jensen was put through, dragging his chance wide against Setford — though, luckily for him, he was offside.
Jesus was denied a second goal by a fine Woodman save, after substitute Havertz had got on the scoresheet, but the night belonged to Nwaneri. Remember the name.
