In an entertaining EFL Cup match on Wednesday evening, Ethan Nwaneri continued his impressive season by scoring his third goal to help Arsenal secure a decisive 3-0 victory over Preston North End.
The 17-year-old has quickly become a huge player for the North London side, showing off his skills in his fifth appearance for the Gunners and sparking excitement among fans.
Nwaneri made an immediate impact by finding the back of the net in the first half with his precision and flair.
Arsenal’s dominance was further sealed by goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who scored to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
It took Arsenal 24 minutes to find the breakthrough. Martinelli’s free kick found Kiwior, who headed it to Gabriel Jesus to finish cleanly from close range.
Nine minutes later, Jesus set up Nwaneri, who curled in Arsenal’s second. Shortly after halftime, Kiwior’s precise cross connected with Havertz to secure the Gunners’ victory.
Nwaneri continues to impress with his impact in the EFL Cup.
Thrown into the match from the start, Nwaneri delivered a commendable performance over 80 minutes, nearly netting a second goal but could only hit the woodwork.
His contribution included 72 touches, over 54 accurate passes, five shots on goal, and seven successful passes in the final third.
Beyond scoring, Nwaneri completed two successful dribbles, won two tackles, made three recoveries, and clinched four ground duels before being substituted.
His maturity on the field continues to defy his age, enhancing Arsenal’s hopes for a deep run in the EFL Cup.
This latest performance echoes Nwaneri’s September success in the EFL Cup when he scored a brace to propel Arsenal to a 5-1 victory over Bolton. And he proved yet again he’s capable of rising to the occasion.
With Arsenal now set for the EFL Cup quarterfinals, the young Gunners will look ahead with confidence when they get to face Newcastle on Saturday.
