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

Blackpool v Arsenal: FA Cup match preview

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:

[5 January 2019 16:03 · Ben Burrows]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Blackpool vs Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.

We will have all the latest updates from Bloomfield Road right here plus the latest from around the other late fixtures.

Team news incoming soon.

[5 January 2019 16:15 · Ben Burrows]

The early news from this one has come off the pitch.

Here's Luke Brown with the latest:

[5 January 2019 16:36 · Ben Burrows]

The team news is in from Bloomfield Road.

[5 January 2019 16:38 · Ben Burrows]

And from the hosts who make one change.

[5 January 2019 17:13 · Kieran Jackson]

Here's all the FA Cup third round results from the 3pm kick-offs:

[5 January 2019 17:19 · Kieran Jackson]

Whilst our main focus will be Blackpool vs Arsenal, there are four other games kicking off at 5:30pm in the FA Cup third round: 

• Bristol City vs Huddersfield Town 
• Crystal Palace vs Grimsby Town 
• Newcastle United vs Blackburn Rovers 
• Norwich City vs Portsmouth 

[5 January 2019 17:20 · Kieran Jackson]

Late change for Arsenal.

Laurent Koscielny is OUT - Carl Jenkinson comes in. 

[5 January 2019 17:29 · Kieran Jackson]

The teams are out where despite the occasion, it's not a full house at Bloomfield Road as some Blackpool fans continue to boycott matches in protest at the owners. 

[5 January 2019 17:31 · Kieran Jackson]

Laurent Koscielny was due to start this game, but withdrew in the warm-up - here's more on that story: 

[5 January 2019 17:32 · Kieran Jackson]

KICK-OFF: Blackpool vs Arsenal 

We're underway at Bloomfield Road.