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As it happenedended

Preston vs Arsenal as it happened: Olivier Giroud's late winner sends Gunners through

All the latest action as the Premier League sides enter the FA Cup

Joe Miles
Saturday 07 January 2017 11:56 GMT
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Olivier Giroud applied a tight finish to see Arsenal past a hard-working Preston side
Olivier Giroud applied a tight finish to see Arsenal past a hard-working Preston side (Getty)

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Saturday sees the return of the FA Cup third round, with 25 ties to be played today, starting with Manchester United vs Reading at Old Trafford.

Jaap Stam returns to his former club for the first time since he was abruptly sold by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2001 following revelations in his autobiography.

Jose Mourinho is expected to name a much-changed team for the tie, as is Arsene Wenger for when Arsenal face Preston at Deepdale in the 5.30pm kick off.

Other stand-out ties include Everton vs Leicester City, Hull vs Swansea and non-league Sutton United at home to AFC Wimbledon.

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Friday's FA Cup results:

West Ham United 0 Manchester City 5

Saturday’s FA Cup fixtures (all 3pm kick offs unless stated otherwise):

Manchester United v Reading (12.30pm kick off)

Accrington Stanley v Luton Town

Barrow v Rochdale

Birmingham City v Newcastle United

Blackpool v Barnsley

Bolton Wanderers v Crystal Palace

Brentford v Eastleigh

Brighton & Hove Albion v Milton Keynes Dons

Bristol City v Fleetwood Town

Everton v Leicester City

Huddersfield Town v Port Vale

Hull City v Swansea City

Ipswich Town v Lincoln City

Millwall v Bournemouth

Norwich City v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Blackburn Rovers

Rotherham United v Oxford United

Stoke City v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sunderland v Burnley

Sutton United v AFC Wimbledon

Watford v Burton Albion

West Bromwich Albion v Derby County

Wigan Athletic v Nottingham Forest

Wycombe Wanderers v Stourbridge

Preston North End v Arsenal (5.30pm kick off)

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:33

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:36

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:38

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:40

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:42

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?

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:44

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:45

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:47

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. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:50

21 MINS

Chamberlain charges towards the Preston defence, but an attempted switch of play is intercepted by McGeady, who picks up the ball and leads the counter attack.

Joe Miles7 January 2017 17:53

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