Preston vs Arsenal live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the FA Cup tie at Deepdale
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger will name a rotated team for the FA Cup third round tie with Preston at Deepdale, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech to be rested, while Mesut Ozil is still out with illness.
Danny Welbeck could make his return from injury but is likely to begin on the bench for the 5.30pm kick off.
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It’s a big game for…
Hector Bellerin: He was run ragged in his last game against Bournemouth where he was at fault for two of the goals. The Spanish full-back will have to put in a good display here to claim his spot for the next league game against Swansea, next weekend.
Best stat…
0: These are the only two clubs in English football history to go a season without losing a single game. Preston North End achieving the feat in 1889 whilst Arsenal completed it in 2004.
Remember when…
The two teams faced each other in an FA Cup tie back in 1999, where Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to triumph 4-2. A quick-fire double from Kurt Nogan sent the Lilywhites racing in to a 2-0 lead but Luis Boa Morte struck before half time. Emmanuel Petit netted twice to turn the game in Arsenal’s favour and Marc Overmars put the game beyond doubt for the Gunners.
Player to watch…
Olivier Giroud: The French striker has been impressive since being drafted back on to the team sheet. In Arsenal’s last game they were trailing 3-0 to Bournemouth with twenty minutes left, and not only did Giroud score the injury time equaliser, he also set up the other two goals for the Gunners.
Past three meetings…
Arsenal 2 (Kanu, Malz) Preston 1 (Macken), League Cup, October 1999
Preston 2 (Nogan 2) Arsenal 4 (Petit 2, Boa Morte, Overmars), FA Cup, January 1999
Preston 2 Arsenal 0, Division One, August 1960
Form guide…
PRESTON: WDWLDW
ARSENAL: WLLWWD
Vital information…
KICK-OFF: 17:30, Saturday 7th January
TV: Live on BT Sport 2
Odds…
PRESTON TO WIN: 7/1
ARSENAL TO WIN: 7/20
DRAW: 15/4
(Odds provided by Betfair)
1 MIN
Giroud goes for the first shot of the match from distance, but it's an incredibly mediocre attempt that falls into the path of Maxwell.
4 MINS
Preston will want to prove their ability from the off and show the visitors that this will not be a walk in the park. The home side look energetic so far and are continuously hunting down possession.
6 MINS
Arsenal are stringing the ball around the back four, but the Preston forwards continue to apply pressure which means the visitors are unable to settle.
The Gunners move forward, but the final ball from Xhaka is intercepted and Preston win possession.
7 MINS
GOAL
PRESTON NORTH END 1 - 0 ARSENAL
The underdogs have scored the opener on home turf and it's Robinson with the goal. McGeady made the goal with some beautiful play, that delivered the ball into the box that got flicked into the path of the 21-year-old. He calmly tucks the ball home past Ospina.
9 MINS
Preston have been rewarded for their energetic start to the fixture in the most valuable way possible. The Gunners have to react immediately, as the glaring eyes on Wenger begin to shine on the Arsenal players.
Mustafi needlessly takes down Hugill on the edge of the box to give the home side a free-kick.
11 MINS
The tempo that Preston have set from the off is remarkable and Arsenal are failing to respond. Giroud is their usual lifeline, but can he do it today at Deepdale?
14 MINS
Arsenal win a free-kick for a foul by Hugill on Monreal.
The free-kick goes short and then is delivered over the top to Giroud - but it's offside.
16 MINS
Perez forces the first save from Maxwell, but it's a relatively straight forward stop as the shot from the edge of the box goes straight into the path of the keeper.
19 MINS
It's all to slow from Arsenal. They are messing around with the ball on the edge of the Preston box, with no real threat behind their moves. Preston are still looking the better side.
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