FA Cup third round: Reaction as Arsenal cruise past Oxford

1. Use audio icons at the top of page to listen to commentary from the Kassam Stadium
2. Oxford 0-3 Arsenal - Nketiah double adds to Elneny opener
3. Final game in third round
4. The winner will play Manchester City in the fourth round

'More like it'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is more like it from Arsenal, this is how I expected it to pan out with them putting on pressure.

The next corner goes longer, and is eventually blocked out for another.

It's met by Eddie Nketiah but his header drifts harmlessly wide.

I've just seen a replay of that initial corner and Edward McGinty does really, really well under the pressure from Takehiro Tomiyasu. Super goalkeeping.

Arsenal are coming.

Bukayo Saka whips in a wicked corner, right under Edward McGinty, who is under pressure from Takehiro Tomiyasu, but the Oxford keeper does well to punch it behind for another corner.

'Brilliant defending on the line'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was brilliant. Saka does well but that was brilliant defending on the line.

CLOSE!

The closest we've come so far.

Bukayo Saka dribbles in and out and gets a shot away.

It beats Edward McGinty but Sam Long is there to slash it away.

Would it have gone in? Not sure. It was hard to tell from the angle we saw, but quite possibly.

Sustained pressure from Oxford as Billy Bodin twice gets a cross into the box.

The first is miscontrolled by Rob Holding, and I thought an Oxford player was going to go down under a tackle from Takehiro Tomiyasu but the Japan defender does well to pull out of it.

Bodin then tries to squeeze another ball in, but it is gathered by Matt Turner. The ball may have gone out out for a goal kick anyway.

'Hopefully see Smith Rowe tonight'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'd like to see Smith Rowe tonight. He's been out for a long time and I'd love to see him get a few minutes this evening because he is an exciting player.

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Agree with Tom. Starting eleven is brilliant a little bit like Newcastle but the rest of the squad needs a upgrade.

Carl

Better from Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners winger gets at his full-back, but Elliott Moore blocks the cross in the middle.

They want a corner, but David Coote gives a throw-in.

He's in!

Matt Taylor manages to break the offside trap, but he's unable to get it fully under control and he's stretching with his shot.

Matt Turner has come racing out of his goal too, and the ball just dribbles into his hands eventually.

Encouraging for Oxford though.

All Arsenal at the start of the second half.

Eddie Nketiah has the chance to feed in Gabriel Martinelli or Fabio Vieira but turns down both.

A corner is then wasted by the Gunners.

KICK-OFF

Arsenal get us going again.

Can they step it up a gear and avoid a replay or a shock defeat?

Getty Images

The Arsenal players are already out. They are being made to wait by the Oxford players.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is speaking to a linesman and the fourth official as he reappears. He's unhappy about something. The handball shout maybe?

You might have a new signing soon, Tom.

Arsenal continue to be in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about the transfer of forward Mykhailo Mudryk.

But, they are set to miss out on the loan signing of Portugal forward Joao Felix, who is set to join Chelsea.

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Arsenal’s starting XI is arguably one of the best in the world at the moment. But that’s it, the rest of the squad is bang average. A title charge with 11 players is unsustainable. Serious reinforcements are needed. Now.

Tom

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'Arsenal haven't been clinical'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arsenal have dominated and you would expect that. Oxford have defended well, but they haven't created anything.

Arsenal have dominated but just haven't been clinical in that final third.

'Arsenal playing too slow'

ITV

"Arsenal are playing into Oxford's hands. They are playing too slow," says former Gunner and England international Karen Carney on ITV.

She thinks the penalty appeal for handball should have been given, and would have been if VAR was available.

"It would have been a soft one," adds Ian Wright.

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Can we just give Man City a bye for next round? Neither us or Oxford will be troubling them if this is anything go on.

Paul

Arsenal have dominated possession in that first half, having almost two thirds.

But, as you can tell from the action areas below, it has been a pretty even game.

Neither side has had a shot on target yet.

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