Ben Pearson is the sort of guy you want next to you in the trenches, but nowhere near you in the post-club chip queue.

A bustling ball of aggression and commitment, he wins the ball back in midfield for Preston.

He has made a team-high total of seven tackles and only Daniel Johnson has won possession more times.

Paul Gallagher's race is run.

He hobbles off with a knock to be replaced by Alan Browne.

Aidan McGeady - on loan from Everton - is acquitting himself well back in Premier League company.

He digs out a cross on the byeline but David Ospina claims comfortably in the Arsenal goal.

Image source, Getty Images

I'll have half of whatever was in Arsenal's half-time oranges.

They are a yard quicker and half-a-second sharper all over the pitch.

Lucas Perez gives and goes with Olivier Giroud but cannot quite complete the connection in the Preston box.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Preston & Everton winger at Deepdale for 5 live Sport

Much more urgency from Arsenal, with a real willingness to chase and win back the ball. We saw none of that in the first half.

Ben Pearson and Aaron Ramsey are at each other like ferrets in a sack.

Pearson barges into the back of the Arsenal man to give away the free-kick and prompt a volley of verbal filth in response.

Another coming-together, another post-watershed conversation.

No cards yet, but one to watch.

Arsenal are all over Preston like cling film.

A claustrophobic high press and the lion's share of possession.

Preston finally get some respite as Chris Maxwell boots a free-kick deep into the Arsenal half.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsene Wenger greeted that goal with a cool thumbs-up from the touchline.

His side have emerged with more energy and stomach for the fight than they showed in the first half.

What is French for "half-time rocket"?

Kevin Kilbane
Former Preston & Everton winger at Deepdale for 5 live Sport

A superb start from Arsenal. Preston were on the back foot, unable to get out and allowing the pressure to build. Once the ball was laid back to Aaron Ramsey it was a good strike beyond Chris Maxwell.

Arsenal are right on the front foot - Arsene Wenger must have laid into them at half-time.

Image source, Reuters

No changes. We are back up and running.

Image source, PA

It is a busy director's box at Deepdale.

As well as former Preston defender Mark Lawrenson and general club big-wig Peter Ridsdale, England's monster all-rounder of the noughties Freddie Flintoff and current football boss Gareth Southgate are in the posh seats.

I wonder how Southgate would deal with a Freddie-style high-jinks on his watch?

Ruridh Allen: Without doubt the worst ever first half performance from Arsenal I have seen. Players not fit to wear the shirt.

James Salter: Looks like Arsenal have downgraded the FA Cup along with all the other big clubs. Fair play to Preston though!

Eamonn McGurk: That's the worst I've seen Arsenal play since... Tuesday!

Arsenal Twitter is a notoriously unforgiving place, but even by their standards...

Robbie Savage
Ex-Leicester City & Wales midfielder on 6-0-6

I'm surprised Preston had that headed goal disallowed, when Paul Huntington beat David Ospina to the ball. 

Gabriel is bleeding and complaining about being caught in the air by Jordan Hugill, but there wasn't much wrong with the challenge. A yellow card's the right decision.

Was this Preston's 'Gazza Euro 96 semi-final' moment?

Search for it kids. I can't bear to.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Preston & Everton winger at Deepdale for 5 live Sport

It has been a superb half for Preston. They have been excellent in defence and have nullified Arsenal, while they have also been a threat going forward. 

Aiden McGeady has been the start of the show, picking out perfect passes, and Preston deserve to be in front.

Deepdale erupts in cheers as the whistle goes for half-time.

Their team should be out of sight by now. Or at least with a Bournemouth-style lead.

When a team is being criticised in the always-sunny world of the club's own official social media, you know things are not going well.