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)
We edge close to the kick-off at Old Trafford - just 10 minutes to wait now.
There is an air of optimism about this fixture that comes with any FA Cup clash, let alone one with such history. The 'anything can happen' nature of the Cup has only ignited Stam's passion to provide United's early exit from the competition. If anyone can do it, it's going to be him...
The players are lining up in the tunnel now. The pressure is on.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of today's game. You do not want to miss this one.
The visitors kick off to begin the proceedings at Old Trafford.
Let's go!
1 MIN
Just moments from kick-off, Rashford picks up the ball in the middle of the park and charges towards the Reading goal. He pulls the trigger from distance but it goes just wide, nonetheless Al-Habsi looked although he had it covered.
4 MINS
United appear to have asserted early dominance, with Stam's men under threat from the off. The visitors have a very possession based approach to winning games, so they will need to break down the United attacks and work the ball out from the back.
6 MINS
GOAL
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 - 0 READING
Rooney has just broke the deadlock and made United history at the same time. He has equalled United legend, Sir Bobby Charlton's goal scoring record with 249 goals.
The goal begins with Martial beating his man on the left wing with a clever step-over and then he passes it to Mata, who guides it on to Rooney. The skipper sticks his leg out and slots it past Al-Habsi from close range.
9 MINS
Reading are left with a huge mountain to climb in the early stages of this fixture. The visitors are under constant pressure and will need to step it up a gear if they want to make any sort of impact on the game.
The goal appears to have injected Mourinho's men with energy, as they continue to charge towards the Reading goal. The ball gets pulled back to Carrick on the edge of the box, but to the relief of the travelling fans, he is unable to pull the trigger.
12 MINS
It's all being played in Reading's half at the moment, with the United defence and Romero unneeded so far.
A United attack is lead by Mata, who bombs down the left flank and then the goes into the path of Martial. However, the Frenchman attempts a chip over the Reading keeper, but it's easily collected by Al-Habsi. It looks although this could be a long day at the office for the 35-year-old goalkeeper.
15 MINS
GOAL
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 READING
Martial has doubled United's tally, as the home side continue to exploit the obvious weaknesses in the visitors defence.
The ball is played up to Martial who does a quick one-two with Rooney and then the Frenchman marches forward and slots the ball calmly past into the Reading net from inside of the box. It looks too easy for Mourinho's men.
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