Oxford United vs Arsenal. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats and more
Oxford United FC will host Arsenal FC in the Football Association Challenge Cup 3rd round match at the Kassam Stadium. The fixture will take place on Tuesday, January 10, beginning at 01:30 IST.
What can we expect this Tuesday night? Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.
Oxford United News & Current Form:
Oxford have won only one of their last five games, for which coach Karl Robinson was very angry with some aspects of his team’s performance. According to the manager, his Oxford players will have to improve their game if they want to achieve something in the FA Cup. Nevertheless, the hosts lost on the first day of 2023, losing to a modest by any standards Exeter FC (0-1).
That defeat was the first for the Yellows on home soil in six games and they will no doubt draw support from a full house at the Kassam Stadium when they host Arsenal. Their chances of success are slim, given that their last success against the representatives of the top league dates back to the fourth round of the FA Cup in the 1993/94 season when the U’s defeated Swansea City AFC.
Oxford club has very deep roots, but in their more than 100-year history, they have only spent three seasons in the EPL. In doing so, the club’s best achievement was an 18th-place finish in the 1985/1986 season and in the 1986/1987 season. Since then many things have changed.
Now the team from Oxford plays in the third division of England. And, it should be said, not very well. At the moment they are at the bottom of the standings, namely in 14th place. Over the last six rounds, Karl Robinson’s charges have only picked up one win – a 3-1 draw with Charlton Athletic FC.
They have drawn games against Sheffield Wednesday FC (0-0), Accrington Stanley FC (1-1) and last-placed Forest Green Rovers FC (also 1-1). Its defeats came against Ipswich Town FC (0-3) and Exeter. If in meetings with such teams the U’s had problems, it is scary to imagine what will happen to them in the game with Arsenal.
The most problematic element of the team is the attack. The players have scored just 29 goals in 24 games.
Oxford United recently signed defender Brandon Fleming from Hull City FC on loan for this season.
Arsenal News & Current Form:
Arsenal beat today’s opponents in the FA Cup third round 20 years ago, when players of Arsene Wenger won the trophy. By the way, the team from London has 14 wins in this tournament, although two years in a row they have been a little unlucky in the early stages.
Charges of Mikel Arteta have lost only 2 of their last 18 fixtures this season. The Gunners drew against Newcastle United FC (0-0) on Tuesday. However, Arsenal still occupies the first place in the EPL standings, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City FC. Arsenal players have scored 40 league goals.
Granit Xhaka commented the draw against Newcastle:
“In the end we can be proud, not of the point, but of our game. We will keep going.”
Arsenal has not conceded a goal in their last five games against Oxford – a streak that began in 1987. It is unlikely to be sensational tonight – there will be representatives from different dimensions on the pitch, which can only make the representatives from the capital happy in the end. Moreover, Mikel Arteta will give players who are not often in the starting line-up a chance, with the team from the suburbs having virtually no chance even in such a line-up rotation.
It was recently reported that Arteta is among the contenders to be named the best coach in November and December in the English Premier League. The only criticism of him is his behavior. Former Chelsea FC and England striker Chris Sutton has expressed the opinion that he acted like a clown in the last game against Newcastle United.
Sutton noted that he could understand when emotions overwhelm you in the heat of the match. However, Arteta shouted and gesticulated throughout the game, protesting at every decision of the referee. By the way, the coach was very unhappy with the refereeing, in particular, with the two unrated penalties against Newcastle.
The upcoming game is the perfect opportunity for Arteta to calm his nerves. The difference in class between the teams is huge. Even the Londoners’ reserve team is more technical and stronger than Oxford.
Also, Arsenal will play in a special uniform in the upcoming FA Cup match.The initiative of the London club and Adidas is called ‘No More Red’.
In 2021 a record number of teenagers in London died from stabbings (30). In 2022, the number of crimes involving knives has fallen but is still extremely high. With the ‘No More Red’ campaign, the London club wants to draw attention to the problem.
Arsenal already played in such a uniform a year ago – the kit for the FA Cup 3rd round game against Nottingham Forest FC was also made entirely in white.
The team named 10 charities they work with and invited volunteers to get involved. People who respond to this offer will have a chance to get one of these uniforms. They will also be able to receive an invitation to one of Arsenal’s home games. Like last year, these uniforms will not be on sale.
The women’s team will also participate in the action – Arsenal will play in this jersey against Chelsea on January 15.
January is a month of transfers. Arsenal is not wasting a moment to sign new players. For a few days, the whole football world waits for updates on the situation with young talent Mykhaylo Mudryk. Two London clubs are fighting for him at the moment: Chelsea and Arsenal. But the situation seems tough at the moment: Ukrainian club Shakhtar management requires $100 mln for their gem, this number is ridiculous. However, the representatives of all 3 clubs are in the process of negotiations. Arsenal – in direct talks, Chelsea are still just probing the ground. They will only be making their offering if the deal with Edu and co. falls apart.
The reason for this passive position lies in that Mudryk himself wants to play for Arsenal, so maybe talks with Chelsea management is just a tricky way of manipulating Arsenal to make a higher bid for the player.
In the current Ukrainian Premier League season, the winger has played 12 matches, scored 7 goals and made 7 assists. He also scored 3 goals and made 2 assists in 6 games in the UEFA Champions League.
Arteta commented on the transfer negotiations with a little hint for the 22-year-old winger:
“We have to be smart, we have to look for good opportunities as well. We have to be attractive to players. At the end players decide where they want to play, and if they want to play for our club, this is great.”
Forward Tammy Abraham could return to the EPL in the summer. Manchester United FC and Arsenal are now showing interest in the 25-year-old forward. These clubs have made enquiries about a possible move for the Englishman in the summer.
In addition, Arsenal is interested in signing Atletico de Madrid striker Joao Felix on loan.
“In life there’s nothing impossible but it’s normal for João Félix to stay at Atlético Madrid” says club president Cerezo on the Félix deal.
Atletico FC is demanding €15m for the deal, and with the additional costs, this amount will rise to €18m. It is noted that the Gunners’ management is not yet ready for such spending and intend to negotiate a lower rental price. Manchester United is also targeting Felix.
In the current Spanish championship season, 23-year-old Felix played 13 matches, scoring 4 goals and giving 3 assists.
Oxford United form guide: W-D-D-L-W-L
Arsenal form guide: W-W-L-W-W-D
Oxford United vs Arsenal Head-To-Head Record:
| Oxford United | Draw | Arsenal |
| 2 | 3 | 4 |
- February 25, 1987: Oxford United 0-0 Arsenal (League Division One);
- October 10, 1987: Arsenal 2-0 Oxford United (League Division One);
- March 30, 1988: Oxford United 0-0 Arsenal (League Division One);
- January 4, 2003: Arsenal 2-0 Oxford United (FA Cup).
Oxford United vs Arsenal Predicted XI:
Oxford United possible starting lineup (4-3-3): McGinty; Anderson, Long, Moore, Brown; Bate, McGuane, Brannagan; Wildschut, Taylor, Bodin.
Arsenal possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Tomisayu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Elneny, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Statistical preview of the match Oxford United vs Arsenal:
- The total value of Arsenal’s squad – $750 mln, while Oxford’s – $9mln.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 7 games.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 games against Oxford.
- Arsenal are conceding an average of 1.20 goals per game in their last 5 games.
- Arsenal are scoring an average of 1.80 goals per game in the last 5 games.
- Arsenal have scored in 6 of the last 8 games.
- Arsenal are without a goal in their last 4 games against this opponent.
- Oxford United are conceding an average of 1.20 goals per game in their last 5 games.
- Oxford United are scoring an average of 0.80 goals per game in their last 5 games.
- Oxford United have conceded in their last 3 games.
What has been said before the match:
Mikel Arteta responded to all the critics:
“I am not involved in this debate. Of course, they can have their opinion. I try to do my best for this football club, defend it, promote it and charge them with the passion with which the game should be played.”
“Every game is special and every coach behaves differently depending on the circumstances. And you can’t take the context out of the situation. It’s not fair. I will try to get better. If I have to do something, I will do it and if I have to change something, believe me, I will look at myself in the mirror and change things very quickly.”
Commenting on the upcoming match, Arsenal’s coach said:
“It will be difficult. From what we’ve seen they’ve played in different ways, and result-wise as well they’ve had a bit of everything. It’ll be a very special night and everybody will raise their level and it will be tough.”
“It’s always tricky, I’ve played there a few times and have experienced very difficult matches, so it will be difficult. We have to take the competition and the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level to win the match.”
Karl Robinson, coach of Oxford, characterized Arteta:
“He’s not playing so he can do whatever he wants. He can do his job however he wants to do his job, it’s his prerogative. He’s the manager, he’s leading that team.”
About the match, he said:
“We are massive underdogs, a League One side playing the best team in the country, but we sold out of tickets almost immediately, there will be millions of people watching on ITV, and the atmosphere will be unbelievable.”
“The question I was asked the most this week, inevitably, was whether we had a chance. If both sides play to their potential then the answer is probably no: Arsenal have a team full of international stars who should be too strong. But this is the FA Cup and we know that anything can happen.”
Oxford United vs Arsenal Prediction:
In essence, Oxford United represent a mid-table Division Three side in England. And in the last seven rounds, they have not been at their best. Even at home, the Blue and Yellow are unlikely to challenge top-flight Arsenal, the EPL table leaders. The class difference is too enormous, even if Arteta decides to be experimental with the squad and tactics.
However, we do not expect the home side to be completely thrashed in this encounter as they will try to concentrate their efforts on defence as much as possible, and the Londoners have no option to play crosses as with the departure of Olivier Giroud in 2018, the club is missing a target man. Such type of players has proved to be instrumental when it comes to breaking low-block defences. That said, the Gunners will still succeed with a comfortable scoreline and minimal loss of effort.
Parimatch News staff prediction:
We say: Arsenal to win with an individual total of the match over 1.5 – Yes.