Millions want us to beat Arsenal in FA Cup says Oxford United manager

Karl Robinson's League One side take on Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders in third round on Monday

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the touchline during his side's 0-0 Premier League draw against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. PA

Mikel Arteta during Arsenal's goalless Premier League draw with Newcastle United. Getty

Mikel Arteta complains after a decision in the Premier League draw between Arsenal and Newcastle. Getty

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the touchline against Newcastle. Getty

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta against Newcastle. PA

Mikel Arteta during the Newcastle draw. Reuters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to his players during a the Newcastle match. Reuters

Mikel Arteta during the Newcastle game. Reuters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the game against Newcastle. Reuters

Millions of neutrals will cheer on underdogs Oxford United as they take on high-flying Arsenal in the FA Cup, says manager Karl Robinson.

The League One side host Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders in the third round on Monday.

And Robinson, whose side sit 15th in the third tier, believes his team will have the backing of much of the country against the 14-time FA Cup winners.

"We're massive underdogs, a League One side playing the best team in the country," said Robinson.

"But this is the FA Cup and we know anything can happen.

"With respect to the millions of Arsenal fans, we won't just have the support of Oxford United's fan base on Monday, we will have millions more people willing us on as underdogs."

Arteta, who could welcome back forward Emile Smith Rowe from a groin injury, is expected to shuffle his starting line-up for the clash at a sold-out at Kassam Stadium. But the Gunners, who last captured the trophy in 2020, are strong favourites to go through.

They are unbeaten in 11 games and have won nine of those to open up a five-point Premier League gap on second-placed Manchester City.

But Robinson added: "All we can promise is total commitment and passion. We can't wait."

Oxford United manager Karl Robinson says neutrals will be cheering his team on against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. PA

Last season, Arsenal were knocked out by Nottingham Forest, who were then a Championship club, in the third round.

Arteta is keen to make up for that disappointment.

"It is a competition that brings back huge memories for our football club and the team, because not many years ago we won it," he said.

The Arsenal manager also dismissed criticism of his behaviour on the touchline after he clashed with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and match officials during last week's goalless Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta repeatedly confronted the fourth official and had a bad-tempered exchange with Howe after referee Andrew Madley waved away appeals from Arsenal players for a stoppage-time penalty as the Gunners dropped points for only the third time this season.

Arsenal were charged by the FA on Friday for failing to control their players.

Arsenal v Newcastle ratings

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 6: His most energetic moment of first-half was when he came sprinting out of penalty area to demand Wilson should be booked – which he was. Caught in possession by same player just after break but Newcastle failed to capitalise. The visitors had one shot on target all game. AFP

Ben White 7: Mixed bag with his distribution but gave little away defensively, although Newcastle were not exactly throwing large numbers forward in attack for most of game. AP

Gabriel 8: Defender went close with header from Odegaard ball into box that looped just wide and almost gave Arsenal first-half lead. His partnership with Saliba is a good one and the pair where immaculate at the back. EPA

William Saliba 8: Contained the threat of Magpies striker Wilson and then the same when Wood came on as a replacement. The French defender is top class. EPA

Oleksandr Zinchenko 7: Up against one of the league’s form players in Almiron and did well to keep him relatively quiet. So much so that the Newcastle attacker was taken off with more than 20 minutes to go. Getty

Thomas Partey 8: The fulcrum of Arsenal’s play who allows like of Odegaard and Saka to do there thing further forward. Neat, tidy and hardly gave away a pass. AFP

Granit Xhaka 7: Slid shot into side netting from very tight angle as Arsenal piled on early pressure. Completely miss-hit another chance when well placed in 14th minute. Picked up first half’s fifth booking for late tackle on Schar and looked like he might see red at one point. Reuters

Martin Odegaard 7: Volleyed decent chance over bar from inside box in opening few minutes and at the heart of team’s flying start. Booked for pulling shirt of Guimaraes then booting him over. Influence waned in second half as Newcastle frustrated home side. EPA

Bukayo Saka 8: Showed Burn clean pair of heels in fifth minute before Pope blocked his low strike. Caused Newcastle such problems early on that they had three men up against the England attacker at times. Set to become regular occurrence for Saka such is his quality. Reuters

Gabriel Martinelli 5: Given very little jot by Trippier and didn’t have attempt on goal until after the hour mark when his curling effort was straight at Pope. Flicked a header just wide of target in 80th minute. Getty

Eddie Nketiah 6: Booked for pulling back Schar as referee started showing cards for every minor foul in first half. Denied later winner when Pope blocked his low strike with his foot but Arsenal look short up front without injured Gabriel Jesus. Getty

SUBS: Takehiro Tomiyasu (On for White 76’) N/A. EPA

NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 7: Good stop to deny Saka in first five minutes and, while clearly the busier of either goalkeeper, only next seriously called into action to block Nketiah shot four minutes from time. Helped make it six clean sheets in a row for Magpies. AFP

Kieran Trippier 8: Superb display from England right-back who was facing a real dangerman in Martinelli but made it a frustrating evening for Brazilian. His dead-ball threat remains one of the most dangerous in the league. Getty

Fabian Schar 8: Headed difficult chance from Trippier corner wide after quarter of an hour. Another excellent show at back from Swiss defender whose game has stepped up a couple of levels under manager Eddie Howe. Getty

Sven Botman 8: Newcastle have the best defensive record in the league and the Dutch summer signing from Lille is one of the reasons why. Unflappable at centre-half and quality again here. AFP

Dan Burn 6: Skinned by Saka early on and needed Pope to prevent Arsenal man giving side very early. Big defender needed help dealing with attacker and was given ample support by Joelinton and Willock. Could have conceded penalty after break for pulling shirt of Gabriel. Getty

Sean Longstaff 5: Like Burn, was left for dead by Saka as Arsenal started at blistering pace and struggled against the Gunners' more dynamic midfield in first half. Improved after break and helped frustrate the league leaders by giving them no time to relax on the ball. Getty

Bruno Guimaraes 5: Rightly booked for late challenge on Nketiah in first half, then didn’t cover himself with glory demanding referee do the same to an Arsenal player soon after. Distribution not up his usual high standards but never stopped battling and harrying Arsenal. AP

Joe Willock 7: Up against his former club and had to curtail some of his attacking instincts to try and help Burn contain Saka down Newcastle left. Relentless effort from midfielder who limped off after picking late injury. PA

Joelinton 7: Left dazed after taking blow to head off White after 20 minutes. Missed glorious chance to open scoring when he headed over Trippier’s flicked-on corner just before half-time. Another player to receive harsh booking – No 6 of the game – but didn’t stop him putting in fine shift for the visitors. AFP

Miguel Almiron 6: A manager’s dream with his tracking back but little impact at other end of pitch here. One fine give and go just after half-time ended with Paraguayan firing low cross into box Wilson just failed to reach. Match booking No 7 of game for not retreating 10 metres from free-kick. AP

Callum Wilson 5: Back in starting XI and had his first attempt on goal in opening 15minutes but Ramsdale saved comfortably. Harsh booking for foul on Saliba. Didn’t look 100 per cent fit after illness and no surprise when substituted in second half. Reuters

SUBS: Chris Wood (On for Wilson 68’) 5: Barely got a kick after coming on. Reuters

Jacob Murphy (On for Almiron 68’) 5: Couldn’t get in game and made little impact. AFP

Allan Saint-Maximin (On for Willock 87’) N/A. Getty

"I try to do my best for this football club, to defend it, to promote it, to play with the passion I believe the game has to be played with," Arteta said.

"Every game is special and every manager behaves very differently regarding the circumstances. And you can't take the context out of a situation. That is not fair. That's me! Here and on the pitch, for the good and the bad.

"I will always try to be better ... If I have to change something, believe me, I will look in the mirror at myself and I will change it very quickly."

In Sunday's early FA Cup action, Premier League Leeds United fought back to avoid a shock exit against Championship side Cardiff City in a 2-2 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Mark Hudson's side sit 20th in the second tier but raced into a 2-0 lead after goals from Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo in the 24th and 31st minutes.

Leeds were booed off the pitch by the visiting fans at half-time but hit back though substitute Rodrigo after 65 minutes.

Cardiff's Joe Bagan was sent off for deliberate hand ball in the 81st minute but looked to have sent his side into the fourth round when Rodrigo's resultant penalty was saved by keeper Jak Alnwick.

But 18-year-old substitute Sonny Perkins came to the rescue of Jesse Marsch's side when he scored from close range in the third minute of added time.

Elsewhere, Championship side Stoke eased through to the fourth round with a 3-0 win over League Two strugglers Hartlepool thanks to own goals by Euan Murray and Rollin Menayese either side of a Jacob Brown strike.

Derby County beat fellow League One side Barnsley after goals from James Collins, Tom Barkhuizen and Jason Knight and Blackburn ran out as winners against Norwich City at Carrow Road thanks to a 31st-minute Jack Vale strike.

Walsall beat Stockport County 2-1 away and Bristol City drew 1-1 at home with Swansea.