Arsenal have made it into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup after their 3-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
The Gunners were always the favourites to win the game on Wednesday night and they did not disappoint. Mikel Arteta’s men dominated possession from the first minute and never looked in any danger.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for Arsenal before Ethan Nwaneri doubled their lead with a stunner. Kai Havertz added a third in the second half to seal the game.
Arteta is delighted with all of his players, but he seems particularly pleased about one of them.
Mikel Arteta backs Gabriel Jesus to explode at Arsenal
Jesus has had a very difficult year at Arsenal.
The Brazil international lost his place up top to Havertz at the turn of the year. The former Chelsea man has been unbelievable there and has made that position his own.
Jesus has been short of confidence since and has produced a number of disappointing performances. He hasn’t been anywhere near as good as he can be and hadn’t scored a goal since January.
Arteta gave the former Manchester City star a start against Preston in the EFL Cup, and Jesus finally broke his goal drought.
He produced a fine finish to give Arsenal the lead in the first half, and Arteta feels that could unlock Jesus and he could explode in the coming weeks.
Arteta said in his press conference, as per Arsenal.com: “His first since January I think so it’s been a long time, that’s going to, I think, unlock that thing mentally, and move on, I think he had a good performance tonight.”
The Arsenal manager emphasised that again later in his press conference. He said: “Very happy. I think it’s going to unlock that for him, he looks really happy.
“He’s performing, that attitude is there always, but he needed that feeling that he can put the ball in the back of the net.”
Another struggling Arsenal player had a big impact vs Preston
We are really happy to see Jesus back on the score sheet – he really needed that and we hope that will bring the best out of him in the coming months.
However, the Brazilian wasn’t the only one who showed some signs of his real quality – Raheem Sterling was very, very good against Preston too.
The Chelsea loanee started on the right wing but was then moved to the opposite side when Gabriel Martinelli was withdrawn in the second half.
Sterling got better and better as the game went on and came close to scoring on a few occasions too. He didn’t find the back of the net, but he should be really pleased with his display.
If Jesus and Sterling can both reach their best levels in the coming months, Arsenal will become a force in every single competition.
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