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. 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. In the eight seasons since their one campaign in the Premier League, Blackpool have sunk all the way to the bottom tier before managing one step back up last season. Willock’s goal was the result of a fine free-kick from Aaron Ramsey, who was again implored to stay by the Arsenal fans. But, even if the hosts had managed to find a goal, Arsenal would surely have managed to break through again, as they nearly did just before half-time, when Mark Howard denied Nketiah.

Source: Irish Examiner January 05, 2019 19:30 UTC