Although the EFL Cup is often a trophy snubbed by some football fans, the competition presents an important opportunity for Arsenal to win some silverware.
To date, Mikel Arteta hasn’t fared too well in the competition as Arsenal manager, coming closest in the 2021/22 season when the Gunners lost a semi-final to Liverpool.
In the past two seasons, Arsenal failed to progress beyond the fourth round being eliminated by Premier League opposition.
Of course, Arteta’s side enjoyed a straightforward home fixture against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup in the third round before travelling to Preston North End next.
Preston are currently 16th in the Championship, and a trip away from home will be a bigger test for Arsenal’s fringe players.
Sam Greenwood hoping to improve his terrible record against Arsenal
That being said, Preston’s Sam Greenwood was once one of those players on the periphery of things at Arsenal.
Greenwood, who is a versatile attacking midfielder by trade, joined the Hale End Academy in 2018, making the switch from Sunderland.
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Now 22-years-old, Greenwood failed to make a senior appearance for Arsenal before then moving on to Leeds United in 2020.
Since, Greenwood has played against Arsenal twice, featuring in five squads against his former club for Leeds.
On all five occasions, the England youth international watched his side lose, and he’ll be hoping for better luck on this occasion.
Greenwood has been in and out of the Preston XI this season, but has scored twice in their EFL Cup run this season, which includes a victory over Fulham on penalties last round.
Now, the former Gunner will be hoping to prove a point against Arteta, denying his club another route to a trophy.
Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling both have point to prove vs Preston in EFL Cup
Of course, it won’t just be Greenwood who will have a point to prove in the game.
Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling should also start the match for Arsenal, looking to prove why they deserve more minutes in the Premier League.
Arsenal will be assessing whether to buy Sterling throughout the season, a decision that currently seems to be leaning towards a no.
Sterling hasn’t done an awful lot wrong during his starts, but he’s also not helped soften the blow of Bukayo Saka missing a game or two.
Arsenal are still so much worse without Saka, and whoever they sign permanently will need to be able to somewhat replicate his output.
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