The Gunners breezed into the last eight with a professional display at Championship opposition as a number of fringe stars showed their quality.
Arsenal enjoyed a comfortable night in the Carabao Cup as Ethan Nwaneri again impressed in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Preston North End.
The Gunners opened the scoring with yet another set-piece strike as Jakub Kiwior nodded Gabriel Martinelli's free-kick into the path of Gabriel Jesus, who struck the ball into the net with a half-volley from six yards out. It was Jesus' first goal since January, and the Brazilian added an assist to his collection when he laid the ball off to Nwaneri, who curled a beautiful 20-yard effort past a flat-footed Freddie Woodman into the top-left corner.
Although Preston had some moments in the second half, Arsenal were rarely troubled by the hosts and half-time substitute Kai Havertz wrapped up the win with a powerful header from Kiwior's cross, while the German also had a late strike narrowly ruled out for offside.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Deepdale..
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Tommy Setford (6/10):
The 18-year-old was making his debut after his summer move from Ajax and didn't have much to do despite a nervy first-half moment, with Preston only having two shots on target.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Only played the first half but will feel disappointed not to have contributed more after some promising moments in attack only let down by his final ball.
William Saliba (7/10):
Slotted straight back into the defence after his weekend suspension and immediately showed his class, completing 103 of his 107 passes and ensuring the door remained closed on Preston throughout, albeit with little trouble.
Jakub Kiwior (8/10):
Was all over the pitch and linked up well down the left side with some nice passes and touches, as the Poland international ended the game with two assists.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):
A rare run out for the Ukraine international and he will have done his future selection chances no harm with a composed display.
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Jorginho (7/10):
His veteran presence in midfield was very much appreciated for Arsenal as he pulled the strings and dictated the play, particularly early on as his side dominated the ball.
Ethan Nwaneri (9/10):
A standout performer even without his goal, the teenager continued his meteoric rise and showed Arteta why there should be no fears about throwing him into the deep end with more Premier League minutes. Clearly destined for greatness with maturity beyond his years.
Mikel Merino (7/10):
An important 45 minutes to continue building up his fitness and chemistry after his goal against Liverpool. The Spaniard demonstrated some nice touches and passes.
AFPAttack
Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Faded as the game went on but troubled the Preston defence in the first half, while also providing a lovely free-kick for Jesus' opener.
Gabriel Jesus (7/10):
The important thing was breaking his nine-month run without a goal, but despite his first-half opener and assist, the Brazilian still left much to be desired with his overall play and anticipation and still lacked some sharpness.
Raheem Sterling (6/10):
Arsenal had been hoping Sterling would kick-start his time at the club with a good performance against lower-league opposition, but the on-loan Chelsea winger looked some way short of his peak, often giving the ball away with his dribbling and missing a number of chances despite occasional glimpses of quality.
AFPSubs & Manager
Kai Havertz (7/10):
A half-time sub for Merino, the German produced a bullet header to put daylight between the two sides, but he was otherwise quiet, although he wasn't needed to be anything more.
Thomas Partey (6/10):
Another half-time introduction in defence but didn't have much to do despite occasionally inverting into midfield.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Would have been disappointed not to start, but the teenager was impressive enough in his cameo and will be satisfied with his run out.
Bukayo Saka (7/10):
Perhaps a strange introduction in the second half, Saka never needed to exert himself but still found ways to create chances and get involved in a short space of time.
Ayden Heaven (N/A):
A new name to Arsenal's youthful squad, the teenager replaced Nwaneri inside the last 10 minutes and slotted into his side's composed end to the game.
Mikel Arteta (7/10):
The Spaniard will be satisfied with the performances of his rotated side, particularly without any new injury concerns, although subbing on a recently-injured Saka when Arsenal were 3-0 up will have raised some eyebrows given his fitness worries.
