[themaclad]

The Gunners arrive at Deepdale for the first time in 18 years to play a much anticipated cup tie unless you are Piers Morgan who thinks the cup is rubbish these days.
Sadly there will be no Cech, Sanchez, Koscielny who have all been rested, Ozil has a cold (poor soul) so is a boubt and Walcott has a traditional injury at this time of year. Before Christma Wenger complained that his team were tired , could it be he is getting his excuses in early!!! As I said they last played at Deepdale in January 1999, cracking game it was too with North End two up after 20 minutes both goals by Kurt Nogan josh, sadly reality kicked in during the second half not helped by us being reduced to 10 men and the Gunners duly won 4-2.
Having only switched over when the Gunners were 3-0 down to Bournemouth was surprised that they didn't eventually win the game but why leave it till they were three down to actually start playing. They can be brilliant on the day but at otherf times can send their fans into meltdowns on social media indeed Morgan's nickname for them these days seems to be Wenger out.
They are fifth in the league at the moment so it is fairly obvious that by the end of the season they will qualify for the Champions League by finishing fourth as per normal although if they finish outside the top four will Wenger go?
Squad wise they could play anyone on Saturday but suspect they will put out a side strong enough to do the job.
History wise they were early pioneers of the Milton Keynes Dons way of doing things start off in one area before shifting to another area in the hope of improving their fortunes which they seem to have done over the years, winning a few titles and cups along the way.
On the way back from Bristol we had a discussion about the relative squads and came to conclusion that only Sanchez would get a place on out bench if we were struggling.
Unlike the League cup doubt whether we will be making nine changes as we did at Newcastle although we made mass changes for our win at Bournemouth in the same competition.
This could be Bailey Wright's swansong with the club as transfer rumours linking him with Bristol City are gathering pace. W3ill be back to full strength still without bad boy Beckford, plus Welsh who seems to have disappeared from view since getting injured at Brighton in October.
Personal view Arsenal should win but as long as we give 100% it will not be easy for the Gunners, would be overjoyed with a replay a win would be amazing. Give it your best shot lads and don't leave anything in the changing room. It's on the box BT Sport so telly money is coming our way importantly should gross £500,000 from this one.

Arsenal Form guide WWD Next three Swansea A Burnley H Watford H
PNE form guide LDW Next three Brighton H Aston Villa A Ipswich H

[Imre varadi]

Hard one to swallow that must have been , yet another late goal ! hope it doesnt become a virus untill you next play us that is

[St Charles Owl]

Preston deserved not to lose that game, you had earned your replay at the Emirates!!! Should have been at least 2 up at half time and although Arsenal played better in the second half I thought a draw was a bit generous to them let alone a win!!!

[themaclad]

Aye SCO a draw and then beating them in the replay was on the cards but top perforamce.

If only we had a fox in the box tonight could have been oh so different, to say we created some chances is an understatement should have been more than one up by half time, however the second half was a back tpo the wall affair but in saying that at least the gave those on television and more competitve game then the two Manchester sides had provided in disposing of West Spam and Reading.
North Ed scored early but before then had already wasted a chance to take the lead when Robinson failed to note the unmarked Hugill to the right of him didn't matter though within a minute McGeady had sent the entire crowd and the Arsenal team the wrong way with an outrageous bit of show boating feeding the ball to Hugill who somehow managed to get the ball to Robinson, he put the ball in the net, no flag 1 up. Arsenal looked poor at the back and were exposed again when Robinson got in down the right fed the ball to Hugill unmarked no keeper or defender within miles, sadly the pass was just a shade too far in front of the striker and an absolute glorious chance had gone, not the wisest of things to do against a top side.
Robinson was denied again when a good blocking header stop his header from hitting the net and then Gallagher chip the keeper and the ball was cleared with a last gasp clearence by a Gunners defender.
Arsenal as to be expected looked dangeros going forward, a great blocking tackle denied Giroud who also forced a decent save by Maxwell.
Would those missed chances prove costly they certainly did within a minute Ramsey had levelled with a shot after North End failed to clear their lines after a good run by Oxlade-Chamberlain. The aforemetioned Oxlade-Chamberlain was a real danger as the Gunners upped the ante after possibly a bit of a bollocking from Wenger.
It was one way traffic for the majority of the second half with probably only a mazy run from Vermijl giving the visitors a worry. After the initial flurry North End started to get slowly back into the game but were on the back foot with Arsenal passing the ball about trying to work an opening. When they did get through there were two good saves from Maxwell. It only seemed a matter of time till Arsenal took the lead but the second goal didn't come and thoughts started turning to a very big money spinner at the Emirates, sadly though pressure told, the ball seemed to be going out for a goal kick a back heel from an Arsenal player and Giroud buried the half chance.
Arsenal were never in danger and comfortably saw the game out.
Top performace this by North End sadly though Pearson hits 10 bookings, two game ban there was a cameo performance from Horgan late on, looked promising never mind Brighton next Saturday another test.

Preston North End 1 Arsenal 2 Att 22100

Preston boss Simon Grayson: "We have got mixed emotions tonight. I am very proud of how hard they worked and the quality against a top, top team. We will draw the positives as much as possible and hopefully in the future we will be on the end of a victory, not a defeat.

"We stopped them playing and got on the front foot. We just didn't quite take the opportunities when they came. We have had good chances, but you need a second or third goal against a team like Arsenal.

"We warned the players to start the game quickly in the second half but we let Ramsey have room that we didn't in the first half. It was a kick in the teeth when the goal went in at the end."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "Someone reminded me yesterday that I have never been out in the third round in 21 years, but tonight, in the first half, it was close. Preston played with enthusiasm and quality in the first half, they were quicker than us all over.

"Maybe subconsciously we thought that it would be easier and at half-time we knew we could have been out.

"I believe that we have a togetherness and fighting spirit and that is why we have these comebacks. It was a typical cup tie with English enthusiasm and the crowd cheering on their team."