Oxford United vs Arsenal Preview – Prediction & potential line-ups
Oxford United will play host to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday night.
The Gunners have won the competition on a record 14 occasions but have been eliminated early in the last two editions. Nottingham Forest got the better of them at the same stage last season (1-0 win).
The Premier League leaders travel to the Kassam Stadium for tomorrow’s showdown and they will be overwhelming favourites against Oxford, who are 15th in League One at the moment.
Despite this, Oxford will be aiming for a big upset in front of a packed stadium.
Preview
Oxford United
The U’s have struggled for consistency in League One this campaign. This has been pointed out by the results with seven wins, eight draws and nine defeats in 24 games.
However, the league form generally goes out of the window when it comes to the FA Cup. Oxford have nothing to lose and should play with more freedom against the Gunners.
Manager Karl Robinson masterminded MK Dons’ stunning 4-0 win over Manchester United in the League Cup second round back in 2014 and will be eyeing another shock result.
Arsenal
Arsenal have been almost flawless during the ongoing campaign and the 0-0 draw against Newcastle United was only the third time that they had dropped points in the Premier League.
Against Oxford, Arteta is expected to make multiple changes but regardless of this, they should comfortably see out the challenge. The Gunners have won both of their previous FA Cup meetings against Oxford.
However, the club have surprisingly never beaten the U’s on the road. In all competitions away to Oxford, the London giants have failed to win in four meetings – two losses and two defeats.
Oxford United vs Arsenal Potential Line-ups
Oxford United (4-3-3): Edward McGinty; Djavan Anderson, Sam Long, Elliott Moore, Ciaron Brown; Lewis Bate, Marcus McGuane, Cameron Brannagan; Yanic Wildschut, Matty Taylor, Josh Murphy.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Matt Turner; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Mohamed Elneny, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Marquinhos, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Eddie Nketiah.
Oxford United vs Arsenal Prediction
We can only see one result here. Arsenal are likely to win the third round tie by a few goals. Arteta is unlikely to change his entire line-up and should go with a strong front line against Oxford. The Gunners should end their winless away streak against the U’s tomorrow.
Oxford United 0-3 Arsenal
