Arsenal's first effort of the match.

It is a shaky, deflected dolly for Preston goalkeeper Chris Maxwell from Lucas Perez, but the visitors will take whatever they can get for a foothold.

Image source, Getty Images

Better from Arsenal as Aaron Ramsey plays a cunning little reverse ball to the byeline for Lucas Perez.

The Spaniard reaches it just in time, but his cross is over-hit and clears Olivier Giroud in the middle by a distance.

Image source, AP

Preston are playing this opening quarter at warp speed.

The whisper in midweek was that this was a game in which former Bolton defender Rob Holding might get a run-out for Arsenal.

The Gunners' back four looks like it could do with some lower-league know-how.

Image source, Reuters

Nope, the free-kick is too close to David Ospina who pouches it well in front of Tom Clarke.

Image source, Reuters

Preston with a prime piece of free-kick real estate out on the left flank.

The heavy cavalry is rolling up from the back...

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

Image source, Reuters

Preston won the ball in the middle third and it was a superb run from Aiden McGeady. 

He then had the awareness to play in the frontmen and the ball broke free to Callum Robinson, who was in acres of space inside the box. It was a simple finish really, and a great start for Preston.

It is Preston making the early running.

Shkodran Mustafi is rushed into a pass straight into the advertising hoarding by Callum Robinson.

The visiting fans are in good voice.

Their side are getting a good old dose of third-round hustle though.

Ben Pearson, whipping around like a Jack Russell on a triple espresso, nicks the ball and almost creates an opening for Callum Robinson.

The Gunners defence descends to snuff out the danger just in time.

Image source, Reuters

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

Realistically, if Arsenal all turn up and play to their ability they will win this game. But Simon Grayson will make Preston difficult to beat - he has done a great job here at Deepdale. 

The Whites have some players who can supply a bit of attacking flair - McGeady, Johnson, Robinson - and who might, just might, change the game.

Under way.

The pre-match snaps and hand slaps have overrun a little.

All very cordial between Simon Grayson and Arsene Wenger on the touchline. The hosts to get us going...

Image source, PA

Who had a cut-out silver foil FA Cup on their third-round bingo sheet?

Well, courtesy of this superb effort you can cross it out.

So good, I'm going portrait.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Rex Features

Nothing says pre-match atmos like the Black-Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling.

Aside from some shoddy disc selection from the stadium DJ, Deepdale is bubbling.

We await the teams

Image source, Rex Features

Jermaine Beckford has been picking up cards quicker than the postman over this Festive period.

The Preston striker - who claimed his little piece of third-round history when he scored Leeds winner at Old Trafford in 2010 - is absent from this match though suspension.

After copping a three-match ban for fighting with team-mate Eoin Doyle in early December, he lasted only three minutes on his comeback, sent off for kicking Leeds Kyle Bartley after being introduced as a substitute in the team's Boxing Day meeting.

Image source, Getty Images

A temporary switch to Preston never did David Beckham any harm.

And Danny Welbeck was also farmed out on loan to Deepdale from Manchester United in January 2010.

He managed two goals in eight games before being sent back to Old Trafford for treatment on a knee injury.

Image source, Reuters

Preston manager Simon Grayson speaking to BT Sport: "If you look at their team you can see how seriously they are taking this competition. We have to be on our A-Game.

We are the original Invincibles. What Arsenal did a few season in matching that was a great achievement but it is all about what happens to tonight that matters."

Image source, Rex Features

There is something a little Captain Haddock about Olivier's beard and it is Giroud who get the skipper's armband for Arsenal today.

Image source, Rex Features

This is Preston's first game since Bailey Wright's move to Bristol City in midweek. The 24-year-old Australian international was a key part of the Lilywhites' rearguard and kept a clean sheet on debut in City's goalless draw with Fleetwood today.

How badly is his absence going to be felt?