Arsenal had a European Championship winner on parade in Jorginho, the Champions League-winning Kai Havertz and the four-time Premier League champion Raheem Sterling making life a misery for Preston, but one name rang out above all from the boisterous away end at Deepdale: Ethan Nwaneri. “One of our own” they sang of the 17-year-old from Enfield. One special talent, that is for sure.

In only his second start for Mikel Arteta’s team Nwaneri shone among the more decorated names as Arsenal eased into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with plenty to spare against the Championship side. The teenager struck a superb goal, his third in the competition so far, grazed the crossbar with another thunderous effort and generally made Preston dance to his tune all night. He received a standing ovation from the Arsenal fans when appropriately replaced late on by a substitute called Heaven. Preston’s epic 16-15 penalty shootout defeat of Fulham in round three was a distant memory for the home crowd once Arsenal found their rhythm.