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

Olivier Giroud applied a tight finish to see Arsenal past a hard-working Preston side (Getty)

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.

• Jaap Stam: How Sir Alex Ferguson ended my Manchester United career on a petrol station forecourt
• Sutton United vs Wimbledon: Arsenal old boy Craig Eastmond hoping good showing will help him move back up
• Pep Guardiola's men answer their critics - Manchester City are back in business

Follow the live blog below…

Please allow a moment for the blog to load…

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)

[7 January 2017 18:54 · Joe Miles]

63 MINS

Arsenal need to step it up a gear and exploit the newfound vulnerability of the Preston side. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain drives forward, but his attempted cross is blocked. Corner kick. 

[7 January 2017 18:56 · Joe Miles]

66 MINS

Yellow card: Cunningham flies into the back of Perez, and although he gets the ball, he takes the player as well. 

[7 January 2017 19:00 · Joe Miles]

68 MINS

Giroud appears to have picked up a knock following a clash with Clarke. He gets up, but he's limping. 

Arsenal are looking the better side of the two at the moment, but Preston are still more than capable of causing an upset. 

[7 January 2017 19:01 · Joe Miles]

70 MINS

Yellow card: Gabriel clashes into the back of Hugill and picks up a deserved warning. 

[7 January 2017 19:04 · Joe Miles]

72 MINS

An Arsenal corner goes in towards the near post and Mustafi connects beautifully with it, but Maxwell manages to react quickly and parry the ball to safety. It's a great opportunity for the visitors.

[7 January 2017 19:06 · Joe Miles]

75 MINS

Substitutions: Hugell is replaced by Makienok

The Preston fans gives the youngster a stand ovation. 

[7 January 2017 19:09 · Joe Miles]

77 MINS

Perez delivers a sublime over the top to Giroud, who knocks the ball into the back of the net. However, much to the disappointment of the Arsenal fans - it's flagged offside. The French striker has made significant improvements in the second half. 

[7 January 2017 19:12 · Joe Miles]

80 MINS

Substitution: Johnson is replaced by Horgan

[7 January 2017 19:14 · Joe Miles]

83 MINS

Substitution: Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by Welbeck

[7 January 2017 19:16 · Joe Miles]

84 MINS

Arsenal are continuing to dominate possession, but their efforts are going unrewarded as the scores remain level. They continue to press forward, but the Preston defence are holding up on home turf. They have every outfield player behind the ball - they look although they will settle for a draw here today.