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 17:34 · Kieran Jackson]

3 minutes: Blackpool 0-0 Arsenal

Great chance for Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah, who has an opening in the box but he shoots into the side netting. 

[5 January 2019 17:36 · Kieran Jackson]

RED-CARD! Crystal Palace 0-0 Grimsby Town (Fox 4')

Nightmare start for Grimsby, as Andrew Fox's studs are up on Andros Townsend. The referee originally gave a yellow, but VAR overturns the decision and calls for a straight red card. 

[5 January 2019 17:40 · Kieran Jackson]

7 minutes: Blackpool 0-0 Arsenal

Eddie Nketiah with another excellent chance for Arsenal!

Maitland-Niles plays an inch perfect pass across the face of goal, and the 19-year-old has to score, but he can't wrap his left foot around it and it goes behind for a goal kick.

[5 January 2019 17:41 · Kieran Jackson]

GOAL! Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal (Willock 11') 

It's been coming! 

A fierce free-kick by Aaron Ramsey is deflected onto the post, and Joe Willock is there to stoop and head into an empty net. 

That's Willock's second goal of the season, and the Gunners are ahead! 

[5 January 2019 17:45 · Kieran Jackson]

15 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

Jenkinson has a chance at the back post, but he heads across goal when he should have gone for goal himself! 

[5 January 2019 17:46 · Kieran Jackson]

RED-CARD! Norwich 0-0 Portsmouth (Hanley) 

Norwich are down to ten men! 

[5 January 2019 17:47 · Kieran Jackson]

15 minutes: Crystal Palace 0-0 Grimsby Town 

Scott Dann's header is cleared off the line!

[5 January 2019 17:51 · Kieran Jackson]

21 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

Elneny has a go from way out, but he drags his shot well wide.

[5 January 2019 17:52 · Kieran Jackson]

Here's Joe Willock putting Arsenal in front: 

[5 January 2019 17:55 · Kieran Jackson]

Blackpool's infamous (and not hugely popular) owner Owen Oyston is in the crowd.

Brave man, given the protests against him from thousands of supporters.