If Mikel Arteta thought starting Ethan Nwaneri may ease the clamour for him to play more, then he needs to think again.
Just over 5,500 Arsenal supporters made the journey here to Preston on a cold Wednesday night and, in the end, it was Nwaneri who ensured it was worth the trip.
Even in a side stacked with first-team regulars, it was Nwaneri who shone brightest of all as Arsenal cruised into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory.
The 17-year-old announced his arrival in the last round, scoring twice as Arsenal thumped Bolton 5-1, and he was at it again against Preston.
After Gabriel Jesus had opened the scoring inside 25 minutes, Nwaneri doubled the Gunners’ lead with a brilliant goal.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, the teenage midfielder let it run across his body with a deft touch, before finding the top corner with a sumptuous finish.
In doing so, Nwaneri made history. At 17 years and 223 days old, he became the youngest player in Arsenal’s history to score in each of their first two starts, beating the previous record holder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was 18 years and 44 days old.
The goal here summed up Nwaneri’s confidence right now. Only minutes before, he had hit a tame effort right at the goalkeeper after Mikel Merino had set the ball to him inside the box. Early on, he had skied another shot over the bar.
No bother, when Nwaneri got the ball on the edge of the box next time, he had one thing on his mind - and even his celebration showed that.
There was no whipping his shirt off or anything emphatic like that. The teenager merely wagged his finger in a manner that suggests he does this every day in training - and now fans are going to start seeing it on the pitch.
The Arsenal supporters have certainly taken Nwaneri to their hearts. It is early days, but his name was cheered loudly before kick-off when it was read out. Fans have been calling for him to play more in the absence of Martin Odegaard, aware of the side’s lack of creativity.
Nwaneri has looked bright in all his cameos and now has three goals in two starts. After his goal went in, the Arsenal fans sung his name: ‘Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own’.
Arteta has, understandably, been careful in his blooding of Nwaneri, but this was further evidence that he is ready for more.
The teenager’s touch and movement naturally caught the eye, but also physically he did not look out of place.
That is saying something as this was a strong side that Arteta picked, worth over £200million and with 386 international caps between them. And that was with 18-year-old Tommy Setford making his debut in goal.
Even at half-time, Arteta did not let up. Off came Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino, on came Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey.
It was Havertz who killed this game, arrowing a header into the top corner after Jakub Kiwior’s cross had picked him out.
That took what little life was left in Preston out of the Championship team and Arsenal looked like they wanted more. Arteta even threw on Bukayo Saka.
Nwaneri’s last moments involved him hitting the crossbar as he came so close to a second. He went down with cramp after that and eventually came off with 10 minutes to go to a huge ovation.
It wrapped up a night that he, and the travelling Arsenal fans, won’t forget in a hurry.
