Arsenal dominate at Deepdale and Remembering Geordie Armstrong

Arsenal's outstanding travelling support watch Mikel Arteta's imperious side hand out a League Cup masterclass at Preston; and Remembering Geordie Armstrong

Hello!

Happy Thursday from Southport!

I’m writing this in my small, but perfectly formed hotel room overlooking Southport pier. I may well have a stroll along the beach, and take a quick gander around the town centre, before starting the long journey back, after such an enjoyable evening down the road in Preston.

Firstly, I have to saw a massive well done to the absolutely outstanding travelling Arsenal support last night. All 5,656 of them. To make such a long journey on a miserably dull and dank Wednesday evening would have involved taking at least a day off work, in some cases, even two days.

Whether it fits the agenda of Arsenal-haters or now the unmistakable truth is that our support is one of the best around. Fact.

The magnificent Arsenal travelling support at Preston on Wednesday evening. CREDIT: @laythy29

How good were Arsenal last night? I’m still buzzing now.

I thought Mikel Arteta really sent a message out to the world that the squad he has been assiduously assembling is now exceptionally strong.

We saw that with a superb performance from Ethan Nwaneri - with the Arsenal boss using two adjectives in particular during his post-match press conference, namely, “unbelievable” and “tremendous”.

Not to mention rare starting appearances from Jorginho, who captained the side intelligently, guiding younger teammates through the game, along with Alex Zinchenko. Raheem Sterling also started, and was so unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. It was also good to see Mikel Merino get further minutes in his legs, as well as savouring Jakub ‘Two Assists” Kiwior’s overall performance.

And we haven’t even mentioned debutant Tommy Setford, who kept a clean sheet on his first team bow, and looked nerveless during what could have otherwise been a tricky evening. Helped in no small way by the return of the imperious William Saliba and the muscular, combative presence of Jurrien Timber.

That’s without mentioning substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly - whose controlled aggression in seeing off seasoned Preston pro’s in one captivating late vignette, was absolutely outstanding for an 18-year-old.

Kudo also to young Ayden Heaven, who also made his debut, a nod to his excellent performances on Arsenal’s summer pre-season tour to the US, as well as consistently excellent performances for the academy. I’ve watched his progress from Los Angeles to Boreham Wood over the last few months, and his rise has been heartening to say the least. Long may it continue.

With Palace drawn to play at the Emirates in the last eight in the week before Christmas, the Gunners will surely be favourites to reach the last four, in semi-finals that will now only be played over a single leg.

It’s always irked me that for a club of our stature, Arsenal have only won the League Cup twice. Here’s to dreaming about a third…

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Victoria Concordia Crescit

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My Morning Star newspaper match report

Gunners sweep into last eight after dominant display art Deepdale 

Preston 0-3 Arsenal: League Cup report by Layth Yousif at Deepdale

Goals from Jesus, Nwaneri and Havertz seal victory for Arsenal at Preston

Mikel Arteta has hailed teenage starlet Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old scored an excellent goal during Arsenal’s comprehensive 3-0 victory at Preston North End on Wednesday evening. 

Arsenal eased into the last eight of the League Cup, where they will face Crystal Palace, with a resounding victory over the Championship side at Deepdale.

Speaking after the match, boss Arteta praised Nwaneri, saying: “It’s unbelievable but he does it in training almost every day, he’s got this quality, this personality, he’s there to make things happen, he doesn’t care who he’s got around him, he needs to make the decision for himself, he does it and he scored a fantastic goal.”

In front of 21,811, including 5,656 visiting supporters, Arteta, also handed 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford his first team debut, saw his strong side dominate from first until last. 

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for the north Londoners midway through the first half, with an emphatic close-range effort, following Jakub Kiwior's nod down from Gabriel Martinelli’s back post ball. 

Talented teenager Nwaneri doubled the visitors lead before the interval with a superb strike, taking Jesus’ pass prior to firing into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Kai Havertz replaced Mikel Merino at the break, as the £65m former Chelsea attacker headed home Kiwior's cross - who posted his second assist of the match - to make it 3-0 on 57 minutes. 

As the clock ticked down, Nwaneri clipped Freddie Woodman's bar, as the former Newcastle keeper denied Raheem Sterling with an excellent double save that left the Gunners forward stunned. 

The chance came prior to a late goal-line clearance from PNE midfielder Brad Potts, again to block Sterling, to ensure the scoreline remained vaguely respectable for the outclassed hosts. 

“You can see their quality,” said Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said after the match, adding: “They’re a really intense team and their levels very rarely drop.”

With three tough trips on the road to Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea over the next nine days, Arsenal’s quest for silverware will certainly be put to the test. 

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Arsenal Player Ratings:

Tommy Setford: 8/10 - A night the 18-year-old will never forget after earning a clean sheet on his first team Arsenal debut. Wonderful to see with the promise of so much more to come from the Dutch netminder

Jurrien Timber: 7.5/10 - A powerful presence as the Dutch defender strives for rhythm and full fitness before being replaced at half time as per pre-match plans

William Saliba: 7.5/10 - Good to have the world class centre-half back in defence after being sorely missed during the 2-2 draw vs Liverpool. Preston's attack won't play against a better defender all season 

Jakub Kiwior:  8/10 - Two assists and a solid performance along the backline underlined an excellent evening's work for the Polish defender

Alex Zinchenko 6.5/10 - Solid but appeared to get in the way of attacking progress at times. Another player who showcases just how strong Arteta's squad is these days. Once a marquee signing, now a dependable replacement on League Cup nights

Ethan Nwaneri: 9/10 - Boss Arteta hailed the talented teenager as 'unbelievable'. Scored a superb goal past Freddie Woodman to make it three first team goals in this tournament for the first team this season. The sky is the limit for this exciting attacker. No wonder the vociferous travelling Gooners sang: "He's one of our own..." He certainly is. And how wonderful that fact is.

Jorginho: 7/10 - Solid and reliable. Captained the side and helped guide his younger colleagues through what could have been a trickey test. As it was, the young guns, with the Brazil/Italian's leadership passed their Deepdale test with flying colour

Mikel Merino: 7.5/10 - Another excellent performace. Replaced at half time which was always the plan with tough trips to Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea coming up.

Raheem Sterling: 8/10 - Lively and was exceptionally unlucky not to score late on after Woodman denied the 29-year-old

Gabriel Jesus: 7.5/10 - Scored his first Arsenal goal since January which his workrate fully deserved. As Arteta opinined after the match, his strike should boost his confidence significantly.

Gabi Martinelli: 7/10 - Not as influential as he would have liked

Substitutes:

Kai Havertz: 7/10 - Emphatic header to make it 3-0 after the interval only underlined the strength in depth in this Arsenal squad

Ayden Heaven: 7/10 - Shone during the Gunners pre-season tour of the States and fully deserved being handed a first team debut along with Tommy Stetford in goal

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7/10 - Wonderful to see the 18-year-old show such controlled aggression against seasoned Championship professionals 

Thomas Partey 7/10 - Solid

Bukayo Saka: 7/10 - Simply loves playing football 

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Remembering Geordie Armstrong

Remembering Geordie Armstrong

A few years back, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jill Armstrong, the daughter of much-loved, and much-missed Geordie.

Jill is a wonderful human being who is so rightly proud of her late father.

It was an absolute honour to have an in-depth chat with Jill about Geordie.

You can watch our chat here

RIP Geordie. Always remembered. Never forgotten.

Much love from all at the Gooner Fanzine to Jill and her lovely family today.