Arsenal learn Carabao Cup 4th round opponents | OneFootball

Arsenal have been drawn against Preston North End away in the Carabao Cup 4th round following their emphatic 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday evening.

The draw, conducted on Sky Sports, sees Mikel Arteta‘s side handed a trip to Deepdale, where they will aim to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

PRESTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Callum Robinson (C) of Preston North End celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on January 7, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s performance against Bolton showcased the depth of their young talent, with teenagers Ethan Nwaneri and Jack Porter making history.

Nwaneri, who scored twice, and Porter, who became Arsenal’s youngest-ever senior starter at 16 years and 72 days, impressed as the Gunners advanced to the next round.

The results also extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run when a teenager has scored to 69, a record that stretches back to the 2007 League Cup final defeat to Chelsea [thanks to Harvey Downes for this amazing stat].

The match against Preston North End will mark the first competitive meeting between the two sides since January 2017, when Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory at Deepdale in the FA Cup.

PRESTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on January 7, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Historically, Arsenal have enjoyed a successful record against Preston, winning 36 out of their 81 encounters, with Preston claiming 26 victories and 19 matches ending in a draw.

Arsenal have dominated recent fixtures, winning the last three matches against the Lancashire side, with their last defeat to Preston coming back in September 1960. That being said, they have only actually played each other three times since the 60s.

PRESTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal as a substitute during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on January 7, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Despite Preston currently sitting 21st in the Championship, they have proven to be tough opponents in cup competitions, and Arsenal will be wary of any potential upset, especially if Arteta opts for so many teenagers once again.

Arteta, who mixed youth with experience against Bolton, will likely continue to rotate the squad in the Carabao Cup, allowing more opportunities for young players to gain valuable first-team experience.

The rest of the Carabao Cup 4th round draw sees some intriguing ties, with Manchester City set to face Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United hosting Leicester City.

Arsenal will be looking to maintain their momentum in the competition as they aim to lift the trophy for the first time since 1993.

Carabao Cup 4th round draw in full:

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal past Luke Southwood of Bolton Wanderers during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on September 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)