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As it happenedended

Blackpool vs Arsenal: Unai Emery's men cruise past hosts to reach FA Cup fourth round

Re-live the FA Cup action from Bloomfield Road

Kieran Jackson
Saturday 05 January 2019 13:01 EST
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Blackpool v Arsenal: FA Cup match preview

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A journey that began with a Blackpool protester sitting on top of their bus ended with Arsenal comfortably booking their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Joe Willock, one of two teenagers in the Gunners' starting line-up, scored twice in the first half and Alex Iwobi added a third in the 82nd minute to secure a 3-0 victory.

Most of the drama happened two-and-a-half hours before the match at the Marriott Hotel in Preston, where Arsenal's players found they were unable to set off for Bloomfield Road.

A large number of Blackpool fans have been trying to force Owen Oyston to sell the club for several years, to no avail, and their most high-profile match of the season offered an opportunity to draw wider attention.

The protester, who came down after 40 minutes, was arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Trade Union Act and remained in police custody at kick-off.

The incident did not delay the match, with Arsenal finding a replacement vehicle before being escorted into the ground via a back entrance, with more protesting fans outside the front.

Those supporters headed for home when the match began as they continue to boycott games at Bloomfield Road, and the travelling Arsenal fans comfortably outnumbered their counterparts - making up 5,218 of the 8,995 crowd - before watching their side cruise to a straightforward victory.

Re-live the action below:

Here's Joe Willock's second: 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:28

Elsewhere, it seems Neil Warnock isn't in the best of moods... 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:31

KICK-OFF: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Second half is underway at Bloomfield Road. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:35

49 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Blackpool's Michael Nottingham has a right-footed shot from the edge-of-the-box but he drags it well wide.  

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:37

54 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Even half so far. Kolasinac is booked for a late tackle. 

No goals elsewhere either... Crystal Palace have had 18 shots against Grimsby as well would you believe!

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:45

58 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

What a chance for Michael Nottingham! 

The ball is played in from the left-hand side and running onto it, Nottingham blazes over with his right-foot. 

Blackpool cannot be so wasteful if they are going to get back into this one. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:46

GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Blackburn (Dack 56') 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:48

62 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

First substitution for Blackpool and a change in midfield, as Chris Taylor makes way for Harry Prtichard. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:50

64 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Blackpool have upped the tempo in the last few minutes, with simple crosses into the box causing Arsenal's defence all kinds of trouble. 

Can the hosts make it count? 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:52

Bradley Dack has scored at Newcastle - a man in form. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:52

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