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

You would imagine one of Karl Robinson's last messages would have been "do not concede early".

His Oxford side have managed that. They've seen off the first quarter now without any harm being done. Neither side has had a shot yet.

They've just had a good period of possession too, but they are unable to penetrate Arsenal's defensive third.

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Sensible from Arteta. He's rotated but picked a strong bench. He's respecting the FA Cup. Good on him.

Steven

"Boring, Boring Arsenal" rings round the Kassam Stadium as Arsenal dilly dally over a free kick.

There's a good atmosphere building. This isn't going to be easy for Arsenal.

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There's a few people texting in about Arsenal's white numbers on their shirt, saying it is impossible to make them out.

Arsenal are wearing this shirt for today only as part of their "No More Red" initiative to tackle knife crime in London.

You can read more about that here.

'Good move by Arsenal'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Good play from Viera. He played a great ball out to Saka but then it was a poor ball back from Tomiyasu, but a good move by Arsenal.

Arsenal exerting pressure

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at The Kaasam Stadium

Oxford United supporters revisiting an old taunt with "Boring, Boring Arsenal" but The Gunners are currently dominating possession but no serious work as yet for home keeper Eddie McGinty.

Better from Arsenal.

A defensive mixture allows Fabio Vieira to get in behind the Oxford defence. He chops back and sends a cross-field pass over to Bukayo Saka.

He squares up Ciaron Brown and then slots in Takehiro Tomiyasu, but his low cross is gathered by Edward McGinty.

He probably should have done better there.

'Big night for Vieira'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is a big night for Fabio Vieira. It is a chance for him to prove his worth to Arsenal and Arteta.

"Boring, boring Arsenal" shout the Oxford fans as Arsenal opt against a quick throw-in and Takehiro Tomiyasu jogs over to take it.

Classic FA Cup stuff this.

Kieran Tierney uses a towel to dry the ball before launching a long throw into the box. It almost drops for Bukayo Saka at the back post but it is hacked clear.

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Interesting point, it's a tough one because lose this tie so early in the cup and then let our lead at the top of the table slip and it's another season without a trophy, I think us Arsenal fans would love a trophy be it the FA Cup or the Premier League

Jack

Two corners in quick succession for Arsenal as a Kieran Tierney cross is blocked behind.

The initial corner is cleared, before Fabio Vieira's cross is deflected out again.

Oxford deal it well though. Ciaron Brown has won two big headers there.

Hmmm.

Bukayo Saka is unhappy as the linesman flags for a foul against as he leans Ciaron Brown off a long ball in behind the left-back.

It was a bit soft.

'Oxford have started well'

Clinton Morrison

Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is a brilliant front three Arsenal have but Oxford have started well. They have been on the front foot.

One thing about this game is that it will be a football game because their manager, Karl Robinson likes to play out from the back.

Oxford have lost two of their past 13 games, but there has been five draws in there.

They struggle for goals - they've only got 29 in 24 League One games this season.

They've started well though. Josh Murphy clips a cross into the box but USA international Matt Turner is out to comfortably claim.

Apparently the pitch was watered heavily prior to the two teams coming out to do their warm-ups.

That might explain the heavy nature of it at the moment.

Will it affect Arsenal? We know they like to play slick, free-flowing football.

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Arsenal give the ball away and Marcus McGuane looks to sneak it past Rob Holding and get past him, but it runs through to Matt Turner in the Arsenal goal.

Oxford have had decent possession in the opening minutes.

The pitch looks fairly heavy and a bit slow.

Very much a case of needs must for Mikel Arteta, Sho.

He could have played Marquinhos, but with Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson both unavailable the Gunners boss has limited options in the attacking areas.

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Sho: Not sure i agree with Nketiah, Saka, and Gabriel starting. Arsenal have won the most FA Cups. Nothing to prove here. Focus on the league.