From Martin Blackburn at Deepdale
Arsenal were in control right from the first whistle but found it tough to open up a well organised home side.
Eventually the breakthrough came as Gabriel Jesus pounced on a knockdown from Jakub Kiwior to score his first goal since January.
Half-time – Preston 0-2 Arsenal
A straightforward first 45 for the Arsenal.
Preston 0-2 Arsenal
45. Martinelli turns provider again, lifting a through ball into the six-yard box for the alert Jesus.
The striker takes a neat first touch to move around Woodman, but the goalkeeper recovers well to force the forward wide.
Retreating, Jesus goes looking for the arriving Nwaneri, but his lay back is cleared with interest.
Two minutes of stoppage time will be played.
Preston 0-2 Arsenal
43. Arsenal are searching for a third before the break.
Mikel has grown into this contest, and takes aim with a fizzer straight into the legs of Whatmough.
Preston 0-2 Arsenal
41. I don’t know my bible that well, but I’m sure there aren’t many parables about Jesus being a gambling man.
It’s the same here as Arsenal striker Jesus fails to throw himself in the direction of a cross from Timber that had taken out the last line of the Preston defence and their goalkeeper.
A delivery that deserved more.
Preston 0-2 Arsenal
39. Sterling almost sneaks in for a third, but a loose touch inside the Preston offers just enough opportunity for Lindsay to intercept.
Meanwhile, Martinelli is back to moving at full pelt after that earlier scare.
