Oxford United face high-flying Premier League side Arsenal on Monday night as Premier League and Championship clubs enter the FA Cup in the third round.
Two leagues separate the two sides, with Oxford sitting comfortably in 15th in League One, as The U’s welcome The Gunners to the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford’s last fixture saw them lose out to 11th placed Exeter City 1-0 at home in the league, but will be hoping league form goes out the window for both sides as they look to defeat the 14-time FA Cup winners.
“We’ve had a fair few injury issues this season and a poor start to our league campaign and a poor start to our league campaign, but in the cup anything can happen,” the Oxford United Supporters Panel affirmed.
“The ground will be full and rocking… it’ll be great to have a premiership team here.”
“In recent years we’ve beaten West Ham and entertained Man City, both of which were hugely entertaining matches.”
The U’s dispatched of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup three seasons ago with a convincing 4-0 giant-killing, before putting up an impressive fight against Manchester City in a 3-1 defeat in the next round.
Dean Worrall of the supporters panel said:
“It’s a completely free game for the team tonight, hopefully this will allow them to let the shackles, which seemed to appear and disappear throughout the season so far, come off completely and we play with freedom.”
As Arsenal go into this game as a Premier League side, this will be their first game of their FA Cup campaign this season whereas Oxford have already beaten two sides to get to the third round of the competition.
BBC Coverage: Oxford United vs Arsenal
The Yellows overcame National League side Woking before conquering Exeter 4-1 to get the draw against Arsenal.
Paul Scaysbrook of the panel added:
“Always a good night under the floodlights and against top of the Prem.”
“Hopefully the boys will perform and show that League One sides play football.”
The away side Arsenal will be looking to avoid disappointment for a second season in a row after they fell to a 1-0 defeat in this round to a then Championship side in Nottingham Forest.
Oxford have already well surpassed their FA Cup performance from last season; they were dumped out in the first round a year ago, drawing 2-2 to Bristol Rovers before losing 4-3 in the replay at The Memorial Stadium.
On paper, The Gunners should come away with a comfortable win and stroll through to the fourth round, however anything can happen in the cup.
“The result to me isn’t important,” Worrall declared.
“It’s about the performance to take to Fleetwood.”
“A nice draw and trip out to the Emirates,” Scaysbrook predicted, optimistic about the game and hoping to force a replay out of the North London giants.
The supporters panel concluded:
“Let’s just say if Arsenal can hold us to a draw, we would love to visit The Emirates next week.”
Predicted lineups:
Arsenal
Turner, Cédric Soares, Holding, Gabriel Magalhães, Tierney, Elneny, Sambi Lokonga, Vieira, Marquinhos, Nketiah, Martinelli
Oxford
McGinty, Anderson, Moore, Long, Brown, Bate, McGuane, Brannagan, Wildschut, Taylor, Goodrham
