Oxford Utd vs Arsenal Kick-Off Time
Event details:
NAME: Oxford Utd vs Arsenal
DATE: 9 Jan 2023
TIME: 20:00 UTC
VENUE: Kassam Stadium
The most successful team in FA Cup history begins their quest for a record-extending 15th title on Monday night, as Arsenal travels to the Kassam Stadium to face League One side Oxford United.
The Gunners suffered a third-round exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest last year, while the U’s were dumped out in round one by Bristol Rovers.
Already bettering their performance from last year’s brief FA Cup run, Oxford has seen off Woking and Exeter City to put their name in the hat for a third-round glamour tie with Arsenal, although it will come as no surprise to learn that the U’s are yet to get their hands on the coveted prize.
However, the League One side have managed to progress beyond round three in three of the last six seasons – getting as far as the fifth round in 2016-17 before being eliminated by Middlesbrough – and the Kassam faithful should dare to dream of a historic giant-killing.
Oxford’s only win from their last eight FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition came against Swansea City in the 2015-16 third round, but the recent form may not inspire confidence within Karl Robinson’s ranks, with just one wins from their last five in all tournaments.
The U’s entered 2023 on the wrong foot with a 1-0 defeat to Exeter City on New Year’s Day, with Sam Nombe scoring the only goal of the game on the 79-minute mark, leaving them 15th in the League One table with 29 points to their name from 24 outings.
Defeat to Exeter marked the end of a five-game unbeaten run for Oxford on home soil, and the hosts have also kept just a solitary clean sheet in their last 11 outings at the Kassam Stadium – something a prolific Arsenal crop will need no second invitation to exploit.
Oxford Utd vs Arsenal Playing XI
Oxford United starting lineup:
McGinty; Anderson, Long, Moore, Brown; Bate, McGuane, Brannagan; Wildschut, Taylor, Murphy
Arsenal starting lineup:
Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Saliba, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Odegaard, Vieira; Nketiah
Hosting third-placed Newcastle United on Tuesday night, Arsenal could have come away from the contest with a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Instead, they departed with their lead cut back down to five points and an FA charge to their name.
The Magpies’ unwavering defense contributed to a deserved point for Eddie Howe’s side in a goalless draw, although Mikel Arteta and his players were left enraged when neither a handball against Jacob Murphy nor a perceived tug on Gabriel Magalhaes by Dan Burn resulted in a penalty.
Now having to answer an FA charge of failing to ensure their players acted in an orderly fashion, Arsenal nevertheless retains their unassailable lead at the top of the Premier League rankings and now set out to lift yet another FA Cup – potentially a fifth in the space of 10 seasons after becoming champions again in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020.
However, since defeating Chelsea in the 2020 final, Arsenal has been dumped out in the fourth round by Southampton and the third round to Nottingham Forest, although all of the Gunners’ last 13 FA Cup games against teams in the third tier or below have ended in victory.
The Premier League leaders will also bring a three-game unbeaten run away from home into Monday’s clash, which sees Oxford and Arsenal reunite for the first time since the Gunners won an FA Cup third-round tie 2-0 in the 2002-03 campaign, where they would eventually go on to lift the trophy.
Oxford remains plagued by injury problems in the final third and remains without both Kyle Joseph and Sam Baldock, although Joseph’s ankle issue could let up in time for their clash with Fleetwood Town on January 14.
Marcus Browne is also expected to miss several more weeks with a hamstring injury, leaving Matty Taylor or 18-year-old Gatlin O’Donkor to spearhead the depleted attack.
Further back, Robinson could hand a U’s debut to Hull City loanee Brandon Fleming, who has arrived on a short-term deal this month and may take up a place on the left-hand side.
As for Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (thigh) remain on the sidelines, but Arteta is hopeful that Emile Smith Rowe will be able to make his first appearance since September as he battles back from groin surgery.
Smith Rowe should only make the bench at best, though, as Arsenal prepares to ring the changes ahead of next weekend’s North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur, starting with Matt Turner replacing Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
Rob Holding, Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Marquinhos, and Albert Sambi Lokonga could also apply for places in the first XI, but Cedric Soares may not be involved as Fulham try to strike a deal for the Portuguese right-back.
More details:
Oxford Utd live score, schedule, and results
Arsenal live score, schedule, and results
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