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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 Dack's goal: 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:53

65 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Eddie Nketiah makes way for Alexandre Lacazette. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:55

69 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Blackpool are being forced to switch their goalkeepers here!

Mark Howard looks like he tweaked a muscle during a goal-kick, and 24-year-old Congolese keeper Christoffer Mafoumbi takes his place. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:57

71 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

A corner breaks to Kolasinac outside the box but his effort is high and wide. 

20 minutes left - a Blackpool goal (which they deserve on the basis of their second-half performance) would make it really interesting. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 18:59

GOAL! Bristol City 1-0 Huddersfield (Brownhill 72')

Is another upset on the cards here?!

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:02

78 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Lacazette flashes a left-footed shot across goal but no one is there to convert. 

Blackpool struggling to keep possession now, let alone carve out clear cut chances.

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:06

79 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal

Willock thinks he's got his hat-trick, but there was an offside in the build-up. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:08

GOAL! Blackpool 0-3 Arsenal (Iwobi 82') 

Lacazette plays Ramsey in, and after his shot is saved, Alex Iwobi puts the rebound in from a tight angle. 

Replays show that Iwobi was offside, but the goal is given and Arsenal are in Monday's fourth-round draw. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:09

85 minutes: Blackpool 0-3 Arsenal 

Double substitution from Arsenal as Iwobi and Kolasinac are replaced by Zech Medley and Bukayo Saka. 

Arsenal seeing out the game with ease now. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:15

GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Blackburn (Ritchie 84' PEN) 

The Magpies have saved themselves! 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 19:16

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