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)
23 MINS
Preston come incredibly close to doubling their tally, with Robinson bombing through the Gunners defence and pulling the ball back into the path of Hugill. The striker just misses the chance to poke the ball home. It should have been a goal.
Arsenal are trying to play the offside trap and quite frankly, they're doing a dismal job.
26 MINS
Arsenal continue to be wasteful in possession, as Wenger expresses his frustration on the sideline.
McGeady delivers a ball into the box, but a volleyed strike from Vermijl goes just wide. It's another good chance for Preston.
29 MINS
Iwobi feeds Monreal, but the cross into the danger-zone is dealt with easily by Huntington, with no challenge from an Arsenal shirt.
31 MINS
Preston push forward again, with Hugill leading the attack. Johnson ends up in possession on the edge of the box, with no threat from the Arsenal defence. He goes for goal but it drifts just wide.
33 MINS
Arsenal have had a sudden injection of energy, as they begin to show a glimpse of their ability. Iwobi threads the ball through to Giroud, but it's a poor touch from the Frenchman. Giroud tries to feed the ball back into the path of Iwobi, but it's a dismal ball. That's very unlike him.
36 MINS
Ramsey comes to close to equalising for Arsenal, but the headed effort is well held by Maxwell. It's a good ball into the box from Maitland-Niles.
39 MINS
A Preston throw-in deep into the Arsenal half finds Hugill, who uses his strength well to win the home side a corner.
The set piece goes short to Cunningham and is then delivered into the box, and a header from Robinson finds the back of the net. However, the goal is disallowed for a challenge on Ospina.
42 MINS
Hugill goes to ground holding his head, following a clash with Mustafi.
44 MINS
Yellow Card: Hugill is given a warning for his challenge of Gabriel. That's his fifth yellow card of the season.
Gabriel is receiving treatment on the pitch.
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