After both teams played out exciting draws over the weekend, Preston North End and Arsenal will clash for a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at Deepdale on Wednesday. This matchup features the only two clubs in English football history to complete a top-flight Invincibles season.
Arsenal cruised past Bolton Wanderers with a 5-1 victory to reach the fourth round, while Preston triumphed over Fulham in an unforgettable penalty shootout.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received praise from Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot, who noted that Arsenal was the first team to outplay his side for a spell during their recent match.
The Gunners took a deserved 2-1 lead at halftime, but their defense faced challenges when key defender Gabriel Magalhaes suffered an injury, leaving them vulnerable. Liverpool eventually equalized through Mohamed Salah at the last moment.
For Arsenal, the match felt like two points lost rather than one gained, as they now trail Premier League leaders Manchester City by five points. However, they had a strong showing against Bolton in the EFL Cup, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scoring twice.
The Gunners are eager to avoid back-to-back third-round exits in a tournament they haven’t won in 31 years, having been knocked out in round four by West Ham last season.
Arteta can relate to Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom’s frustration with dropped leads, as his side seeks to bounce back after their first domestic loss of 2024 against Bournemouth earlier this month.
Preston’s recent match against Plymouth Argyle was a rollercoaster. Leading 3-0 with 35 minutes left, they watched in disbelief as Wayne Rooney’s team rallied to secure a 3-3 draw with an injury-time goal from Morgan Whittaker.
Despite this disappointment, Preston fans can take pride in their record-breaking EFL Cup victory over Fulham, winning 16-15 in the longest penalty shootout in the tournament's history. Though the draw with Plymouth felt like a loss, it did extend their unbeaten run to five games in the Championship.
Currently sitting 16th with 14 points from 12 matches, Preston will be looking to break a streak of three consecutive defeats against Arsenal. Their last encounter was a 2016-17 FA Cup match, where Olivier Giroud scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
As one Arsenal defender returns from suspension, William Saliba is back after serving his one-game ban two others are now on the sidelines. Gabriel injured his knee during the draw with Liverpool, and Jurrien Timber had to be substituted due to suspected cramp.
Even if they were fit, neither Gabriel nor Timber should have been risked for Wednesday's match, similar to fellow absentees Riccardo Calafiori (knee) and Martin Ødegaard (ankle). Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) are also unavailable.
With second-choice goalkeeper Neto cup-tied, 16-year-old Jack Porter made history as Arsenal's youngest-ever starter in goal against Bolton. However, another debutant, 2006-born Tommy Setford, could take the starting spot this time.
Arteta may also rely on other young talents like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Josh Nichols, alongside experienced players Raheem Sterling and Jorginho.
On the Preston side, their injury list includes Ched Evans (discomfort), Patrick Bauer (elbow), and Will Keane (tendon), while Robbie Brady is doubtful after twisting his ankle in the draw with Plymouth.
Montenegrin striker Milutin Osmajic is also out, serving an eight-game ban for biting Liverpool's on-loan Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck. However, Josh Bowler could return from illness, providing manager Paul Heckingbottom with an option to replace the injured Brady.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Kesler-Hayden, Hughes, Lindsay, Storey, Potts; Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Ledson; Greenwood, Riis
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Setford; Nichols, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli
EXPERT PREDICTION
Preston North End 0-3 Arsenal
After Saturday's disastrous collapse, it wouldn't be surprising to see Preston take a defensive stance, aiming to stifle Arteta's side, which is likely to feature some younger players.
That said, Arsenal's talented youngsters should eventually find a way to break through Preston's defense. We anticipate that Arsenal will progress to the quarter-finals without too much trouble.