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

'We want to compete in the FA Cup'

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We've seen Premier League mangers make changes aplenty this weekend, with them appearing to focus on the league more than the FA Cup.

How Arsenal will approach the FA Cup this season is currently unknown.

They have a five-point lead on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, as they look to win their first title since 2004.

They have a proud history in the FA Cup though, winning the competition a record 14 times.

Mikel Arteta's side were knocked out of the competition by then Championship side Nottingham Forest in the third round last season.

"It is a competition that is attached to the successful history of this club and on Monday we have a good test," added Arteta.

"It will be difficult and we have to take the competition very seriously, the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level, to win the match.

"Not many years ago we won it, but then we had the experience last year of going out of the competition so it is a competition we want to play in and compete."

Oxford will have 'millions more people willing us on'

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Oxford United come into the game as firm underdogs, with the League One side currently 57 places below Premier League leaders Arsenal in the football pyramid.

However manager Karl Robinson believes his side, with the help of their fans, can cause an upset.

"We're massive underdogs, a League One side playing the best team in the country," said Robinson, whose side sit 15th in the third tier.

"But this is the FA Cup and we know that anything can happen.

"With respect to the millions of Arsenal fans, we won't just have the support of Oxford United's fanbase on Monday, we will have millions more people willing us on as underdogs," he told the Oxford Mail.

"All we can promise is total commitment and passion. We can't wait."

Retired jockeys AP McCoy and John Francome are among those in attendance at the Kassam Stadium.

They've been spotted having a chat with Oxford United boss Karl Robinson and forward England striker Robbie Fowler.

PA Media

Arsenal take cautious approach with Smith Rowe

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There we go then. If we're going to see Emile Smith Rowe for the first time in four months it'll be off the bench.

Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal's key players last seasoning, scoring 11 goals and setting up two more in 37 games.

He faces a battle to get back into the Gunners side with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli firmly established as Mikel Arteta's three forwards behind the main striker.

Arteta has been speaking about how they've kept Smith Rowe, who has faced four months out with a groin injury, integrated with the squad.

"We have tried to be very close to him, and to give him advice," said Arteta.

"We have talked about his mood, his energy and how much he has to be living with the team in this period, and he has been really good.

"We have been pretty cautious in the last months, in terms of how we have progressed him in training.

"And at the end of that you have to throw him out there, and he has to be able to absorb the minutes, and that is why we have probably extended his preparation."

Team news - seven changes for Arsenal, two for Oxford

Oxford United make two changes from the side that lost to Exeter in League One last weekend as Billy Bodin and Josh Murphy both come into the forward line.

Oxford Utd XI: McGinty; Anderson, Moore, Long, Brown; Bate, McGuane, Brannagan; Bodin, Taylor, Murphy.

Substitutes: Eastwood, Negru, Findlay, Fleming, Sade, Johnson, Goodrham, Wildschut, O’Donkor.

It is still a strong Arsenal side despite seven changes.

Gabriel, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the only players to retain their place in the side from last week's draw with Newcastle.

Arsenal XI:Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Elneny, Lokonga; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Substitutes: Hein, White, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Marquinhos, Butler-Oyedeji.

BreakingSmith Rowe on Arsenal bench

Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is back on the Arsenal bench tonight after four months out.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli start in a strong attacking side.

Full team news shortly.

Will we see more scenes like this tonight?

FA Cup: Full time scenes as Stevenage stun Aston Villa

BreakingLloris announces international retirement

The announcements just keep on coming.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from playing international football for France.

The 36-year-old won the 2018 World Cup, and led France to the final of the 2022 edition in December, where they were beaten by Argentina on penalties.

Bale announces retirement from football

Bale retires - watch his best PL moments

Wales captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 after a glittering career.

The nation's most-capped men's player with 111 appearances announced his decision on social media.

Bale, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is arguably Wales' finest ever footballer.

"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," Bale said.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love."

Read more about Bale's retirement from football.

READ MORE: Saint, Galactico, Welsh hero: Bale's evolution

We'll bring you team news in a few minutes.

But first, there's been a rather big announcement in the last few hours, particularly if you're a Wales fan...

Get Involved

As ever I'd love for you to get in touch tonight.

It could be to share your views on Oxford, Arsenal, the game or the FA Cup third round in general. Pretty much anything goes.

You can get in touch by tweeting #bbcfootball, texting 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or send a WhatsApp to 03301231826.

Smith Rowe to return?

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Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe may return to the Arsenal fold tonight after a four-month lay-off with a groin problem.

He has featured just four times this season, last as a second-half substitute against Manchester United on 4 September.

Boss Mikel Arteta is hoping the 22-year-old can "jump on the train fast enough" to help the Gunners maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League and progress to the latter stages of the FA Cup and Europa League.

"Emile knows that he has the space in the squad to fulfil his potential," said Arteta.

"We really like him, I really like him, and he is a very important player for us.

"But he knows now that he has to jump on the train fast enough to have the impact we all hope he can have on the season for us.

"We need him fit, and at his best, and when we have that, we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the past few months."

How strong will Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta go tonight?

Team news is less than 10 minutes away now, and there's a chance we may see a long-term absentee return for the Gunners tonight...

Evening! How are you all?

It's been another classic FA Cup third round, with eight Premier League sides out of the competition already (and a ninth guaranteed after Liverpool and Wolves meet again).

Arsenal enter the competition as the Premier League leaders.

Can they avoid one of the biggest shocks of the round at League One Oxford United and set up a tie against Manchester City?

Reuters

We've had 31 matches.

One remains.

We've had shocks aplenty with a joint-record number of Premier League sides out of the competition.

Will the highest-ranked side in the competition join them?

Let's find out.

FA Cup magic: Best stories skills and moments from third-round weekend