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 17:56 · Kieran Jackson]

23 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

Blackpool have come back into the game since Arsenal's goal, and are working a few openings... not quite found a cutting edge in the final third yet though. 

[5 January 2019 17:58 · Kieran Jackson]

25 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

Alex Iwobi goes close for the visitors, as his left foot shot is just wide of Mark Howard's goal. 

[5 January 2019 18:01 · Kieran Jackson]

28 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

The offside flag is up but Blackpool's Armand Gnanduillet should score. 

It's a brilliant delivery from a free-kick and six yards out, Gnanduillet heads straight at Cech. 

[5 January 2019 18:03 · Kieran Jackson]

POST! Crystal Palace 0-0 Grimsby Town

Martin Kelly, cutting in on his left foot, hits the post!

Palace still can't get the break through at Selhurst Park. 

[5 January 2019 18:05 · Kieran Jackson]

34 minutes: Blackpool 0-1 Arsenal 

Blackpool's Liam Feeney is looking very bright on the left-wing - he goes close with a right-footed shot. 

[5 January 2019 18:07 · Kieran Jackson]

GOAL! Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal (Willock 37') 

Arsenal have their second!

Jenkinson's cross finds Nketiah at the near post, who can't make a clean contact, but Joe Willock at the back post can! A firm right-footed finish gives the 19-year-old his second of the game. 

Blackpool have it all to do now.

[5 January 2019 18:16 · Kieran Jackson]

43 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal looking very comfortable now - keeping the ball easily and giving the Blackpool players a bit of a run around. 

Elsewhere, it's 0-0 in all the other 5:30 kick-offs as we approach half-time. 

[5 January 2019 18:17 · Kieran Jackson]

45 minutes: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

A long ball isn't dealt with by the Blackpool defence, and Nketiah (who could have had a hat-trick by now) again can't convert, this time due to a fine save by Howard. 

[5 January 2019 18:18 · Kieran Jackson]

HALF-TIME: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal 

Two Joe Willock goals have put Arsenal into the ascendancy at Bloomfield Road. 

Blackpool had a decent spell midway through the half, but they haven't been able to convert, and it'll be a tough way back for the Tangerines. 

[5 January 2019 18:24 · Kieran Jackson]

It's goalless in all the other 5:30pm FA Cup games:

• Bristol City 0-0 Huddersfield Town 
• Crystal Palace 0-0 Grimsby Town 
• Newcastle United 0-0 Blackburn Rovers 
• Norwich CIty 0-0 Portsmouth