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)
55 MINS
Somehow United fail to find a fourth following a goal mouth scramble, that saw a number of United players involved from close range. Fellaini takes the first strike, which rebounds into the path of Rooney but Al-Habsi comes out on top. The 35-year-old keeper deserves praise for that - tremendous goalkeeping.
59 MINS
Rashford delivers the ball through to Rooney, who charges down the left hand side. He then returns possession towards the youngster into the box, but Van Den Berg manages to make the smallest of touches to guide the ball away from the path of Rashford.
62 MINS
Rooney leads a United attack following clever link-up play with Martial. However, the final delivery into the box fails to find a red shirt and the Reading defenders manage to clear the danger.
65 MINS
The clock is ticking for the visitors, who will still need to step it up a gear if they wish to make any impact on this game. They are showing glimpses of brilliance, but without converting this into goals - their efforts go unrewarded. United look comfortable and do not look like they are going to concede.
67 MINS
McCleary cleverly weaves through the United defence and lays the ball of the Kermorgant. However, the striker's attempted on goal from the edge of the box is blocked by Blind. This is a good spell for the visitors.
70 MINS
Stam's men continue to apply the pressure, with McCleary and Williams being two key elements to the majority of their moves.
A corner kick for the visitors goes into the box from Kelly, but Fellaini manages to clear the danger.
For the first time today, United are on the back-foot.
73 MINS
A United free-kick is delivered into the box from Mata, but Smalling could not quite reach it.
Corner kick to the home side.
75 MINS
GOAL
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 - 0 READING
Rashford has put the game to bed for United, with his first goal since September. He's thoroughly deserved this, following a tremendous performance today from the youngster. Carrick delivers a long ball through to the 19-year-old, who takes advantage of the sloppy defending and cleverly slots it past a helpless Al-Habsi.
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