Olivier twist
GIROUD LEAVES IT LATE TO SINK PRESTON AND SEND WENG THROUGH
PRESTON .....................................1 ARSENAL .................................... 2
OLIVIER GIROUD struck in the 89th minute to help Arsene Wenger avoid stepping on a banana skin. Championship Preston had more than held their own against their star-studded opponents – who included Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Shkodran Mustafi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from the start – but were denied a replay at The Emirates by the Frenchman’s late goal. Callum Robinson had put Simon Grayson’s team ahead before the break but Wenger’s side took less than 60 seconds of the second half to draw level through Wales international Ramsey. Giroud said: “We wanted to start the game better than the last one but they surprised us with their commitment. We were not in the game. We wanted to bounce back second half and show character. We did that. “They put a lot of intensity in the game and all the team was beaten. It was not Arsenal. We are pleased with the amazing support of the fans.” Arsenal boss Wenger (right) added: “Someone reminded me yesterday that I have never been out in the Third Round in 21 years. “Maybe we thought it would be easier subconsciously.”
ALARM bells rang out through the Deepdale media centre before battle commenced – courtesy of a kitchen fire alarm.
But they weren’t as loud as those out on the pitch for Arsenal as Preston threatened to scrap their way to their first win over the Gunners for 57 years.
Arsene Wenger has never lost a Third Round tie in his illustrious career on English soil but boy did the French maestro come close with victory only snatched in the dying minutes.
Wenger and Arsenal were stunned by Preston’s quickfire opener through Callum Robinson before Aaron Ramsey brought the teams level in the first minute of the second half.
But Olivier Giroud squeezed in the winner in the 88th minute after being fed by Lucas Perez – and Preston hearts were broken.
A bumper 22,000 were packed into a fog-bound Deepdale for this mouth-watering FA Cup tie.
Preston started like express trains in a determined bid to derail mighty Arsenal who were last in these parts back in 1999 – with Wenger in the driving seat.
The six-time cup winner could not believe his eyes as Preston stormed into a shock seventh-minute lead courtesy of some magical trickery from Aiden McGeady who panicked the Gunners into some dreadful defending.
Following a mazy dribble the Ireland international played a sharp angled pass towards Jordan Hugill, who was challenged by Nacho Monreal and Gabriel.
The ball ricocheted off Monreal and
Hugill to leave Robinson with a simple finish from six yards.
Arsenal’s back line glanced at the assistant in the hope of seeing an offside flag waved. None was raised and Preston’s heroes were off on a celebration gallop.
Perez had a dig as Arsenal tried to steady themselves and get back into a game that was rapidly running out of their control.
Preston were brilliant on the counter-attack. They raided with consummate ease to leave Arsenal in total disarray – and Wenger shuffling nervously in his technical area in his long grey bubble coat. Time and time again the home side swept forward and it was almost 2-0 when Robinson fired across goal only for Hugill to be left in despair when he failed to make a connection with the goal at his mercy.
In the 24th minute, Wenger’s nerves were shredded further when Ben Pearson let fly from distance and keeper David Ospina relieved to only concede a corner.
A Giroud effort came close, showing signs that the Gunners had finally woken up.
But in the 35th minute Preston came back fighting and Paul Gallagher lobbed over the advancing Ospina and was about to celebrate a second goal before Monreal saved the day before the ball rolled over the line.
Arsenal’s followers thought they had reasons to be cheerful when Perez arrowed in a powerful header which Preston keeper Chris Maxwell saved comfortably.
But half-time came with Arsenal still blinking in disbelief at what had transpired in the first 45 minutes. The Gunners looked stunned as they trudged off. And well they might. You could guarantee Wenger not pardoning his French in the dressing room after such an insipid opening.
Whatever he said worked instantly. Within 55 seconds of the restart Alex Iwobi laid on a chance for Ramsey to pick his spot and find the net in front of the ecstatic travelling faithful.
The Gunners were denied a sumptuous second when keeper Mawell brilliantly saved from a Shkodran Mustafi power drive.
It was all one-way traffic with Preston rocked on their heels and definitely feeling second best in a tie that was in their complete control until Arsenal’s gutsy revival.
But The Gunners would not be denied and in the 89th minute Mustafi drove a high ball towards Giroud just inside the box. He headed the ball down to Lucas, who returned it with a majestic backheel on the run.
The finish didn’t have the trickery of Giroud’s famous scorpion kick against Crystal Palace but it was just as effective as the Frenchman forced a close-range shot off defender Alan Browne and past Maxwell.