The Gunners left it late in their FA Cup 3rd round clash against North End at Deepdale on Saturday evening to secure a 4th round berth following a sloppy first half.
Arsenal were a goal down against the Championship side within 7 minutes as Robinson pounced on a loose ball to put his side ahead, and the visitors were only lucky not to have conceded 1 or 2 more afterwards, with the hosts in great spirit in the opening 45 minutes.
Whatever pep talk Wenger had with his men during the break clearly worked, as they drew level less than a minute after the restart via a fine Ramsey strike. What followed was an intense affair, with the 11th-positioned Championship side giving a good account of themselves.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough in the end as a Giroud goal at the death dumped them out of the competition, ensuring Arsenal’s record of never losing in the FA Cup 3rd round under Wenger continued.
Here is how the north Londoner performed in a scare-surviving encounter.
Ospina
Caught unaware for Preston’s goal but wasn’t really tested afterwards.
Rating: 7/10
Maitland-Niles
Some one or two crosses into the box from the right-back were the only great things about his game.
Else, he was out of sync with his teammates at the back and often drifted too wide of position.
Rating: 6/10
Mustafi
Preston have themselves to blame for not going at least 3-nil up in the 1st half after the German appeared out of all sorts and committed many mistakes.
Rating: 5/10
Gabriel
Couldn’t contain the pressure the Championship side continually mounted in the 1st half and didn’t add anything to the attack.
Rating: 6/10
Monreal
Apart from a great clearance he made to prevent the hosts from going 2-nil up, the Spaniard wasn’t impressive, just like his other mates at the back.
Rating: 6/10
Ramsey
Helped ease the pressure on Arsenal immediately the play resumed with his goal but was rather wasteful and ineffective in the final third during the first 45.
Rating: 7/10
Xhaka
Like others, he was largely missing in the 1st half only to spring back to life after the restart and did help Arsenal to gain control in the 2nd half.
Rating: 7/10
Oxlade-Chamberlain
His runs didn’t yield much and he didn’t do anything to help himself earn a spot in the starting XI when Premier League action resumes as Walcott’s injury should have been to his advantage.
Rating: 6/10
Iwobi
The best Arsenal player on the pitch.
His assist to Ramsey after shielding the ball away from a handful of Preston players was brilliant.
Was the life of the team.
Rating: 8/10
Lucas
It was an average showing from the former Deportivo striker until the final minutes of the game when he teed up Giroud for the winner that helped prevent a replay.
Rating: 7/10
Giroud
For the 5th time this term, a late goal from the French striker saved Arsenal’s blushes.
Rating: 8/10
SUBSTITUTES
Welbeck
Returned to action since picking up an injury early last year and almost got a goal with the last kick of the match.
Rating: Not Available
Reine-Adelaide
Time-wasting substitute.
Rating: Not Available
Rob Holding
Time-wasting substitute.
Rating: Not Available