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)
45 MINS
There will be two minutes of additional time this half.
The interval can not come quick enough for the visitors.
HALF TIME
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 READING
Stam's men enter the interval with a two-goal deficit, with early goals from Rooney and Martial. The Championship side have simply been outplayed so far, with United's pace going forward causing them continuous problems for the first 45 minutes. It's simply been one-way traffic for that whole half. Mourinho will be happy with his side's performance, but it could have easily have been 5-0, if they were more clinical in-front of goal.
Reading have showed small glimpses of competence, but it has not been enough to prove to be any real test for the Premiership side.
United appear to be cruising their way into the fourth-round, unless the visitors can respond tremendously in the next half. We'll see.
It really is a tremendous achievement for Wayne Rooney. Congratulations from us at The Independent.
46 MINS
United begin the second-half tremendously, as Rashford opens the Reading defence once again. The youngsters delivery into the box finds Rooney, but he is unable to connect and it goes just wide.
49 MINS
Carrick has gone to ground with a head injury. He is currently receiving treatment.
51 MINS
Reading are maintaining possession, but are failing to make any progress into United's final third. The tempo of the game is slow at the moment, as United appear comfortable with the two goal advantage.
53 MINS
Martial finds Carrick on the edge of the box, who goes for goal but Al-Habsi manages to parry the attempt to safety. It's a good strike from the experience midfielder, but the keeper comes out on top.
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