Preston North End vs Arsenal Carabao Cup score predicted as Ethan Nwaneri impresses again

Arsenal will be looking to continue their Carabao Cup campaign later today when the Gunners take on Preston North End in the Round of 16.

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino saw Arsenal pick up a point against Liverpool in their last outing, drawing 2-2 in the Premier League. The Gunners' injury issues were worsened over the weekend as Gabriel and Jurrien Timber were forced off, but for now, attention turns to the Carabao Cup for Mikel Arteta's side.

After beating Bolton 5-1 in the last round, Arsenal will take on Championship side Preston in the Round of 16 later today, with Arteta looking to lead Arsenal to Carabao Cup success for the first time since 1993. Rotation is expected later tonight, with Ethan Nwaneri expected to start after starring in the last round of the competition.

So, can Arsenal book their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals? Let's take a look.

We simulated Preston vs Arsenal to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.

We predict that Preston could line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Woodman; Hughes, Lindsay, Storey; Kesler-Hayden, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Ledson, Potts; Riis, Greenwood.

We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Setford; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Rice; Jesus, Havertz, Sterling.

Like last time out in the Carabao Cup, Nwaneri was pulling the strings for Arsenal in the first half, and he made an impact early on when his lifted pass over the top of the Preston defence was met by Kai Havertz with a devastating finish from just inside the box. After taking the early lead, the Gunners continued to cause problems for the hosts, and just before half-time, they doubled their lead.

A one-two between Gabriel Jesus and Nwaneri allowed the latter to reach the byline inside the box before some neat footwork saw the midfielder open up some space for a shot. On his left, the youngster curled a great strike towards the far corner, with his effort finding the net to make it 2-0.

Two goals ahead, Arsenal dropped down a gear in the second half, with Preston struggling to trouble Arteta's backline. Despite creating little in the second half, Havertz headed Raheem Sterling's cross home in the 88th minute to make it 3-0, securing their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

EA FC 25 predicted final score: Preston 0-3 Arsenal

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