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      Arsenal keeper Arthur Okonkwo, 19, promoted to first-team training as Gunners prepare for FA Cup clash vs Newcastle

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      YOUNG Arsenal stopper Arthur Okonkwo has been promoted to first-team training ahead of their FA Cup clash with Newcastle.
      Boss Mikel Arteta is expected to ring the changes against Steve Bruce’s men for Saturday’s clash.

      Arthur Okonkwo has trained with the Arsenal first teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And it could mean a first appearance for the 19-year-old keeper.
      Icelandic keeper Alex Runarsson is currently Arsenal’s second choice between the sticks but he has failed to impress in his five matches this season.
      The 25-year-old made a howler in his last outing when Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick slipped through his hands in the 4-1 EFL Cup defeat to Manchester City.
      Runarsson’s distribution has also been called into question with Arteta eager to maintain his possession-based style.

      Okonkwo, who has played for Arsenal’s Under-23 side, missed a year of action following health issues.
      But he returned to the field in June and is hoping to get his first taste of action with the senior squad.
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      The young stopper joined the Arsenal academy aged 7Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Okonkwo joined Arsenal as a seven-year-old and has risen through the age groups having also played for England’s youth sides.

      Standing at 6ft 4in, he is known to be comfortable in his distribution and boasts the qualities Arteta likes to see in a goalkeeper.
      Meanwhile Arsenal keeper Matt Macey, 26, is set to join Hibernian on a permanent deal.

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      Teams who cannot play FA Cup ties due to Covid set to be THROWN OUT of competition due to packed fixtures schedule

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      TEAMS who cannot play their FA Cup ties because of a Covid-19 outbreak are almost certain to be thrown out of the competition.
      The third round is due to be played this week amid a swathe of infections forcing matches across the English game to be called off.

      Teams who can’t play their FA Cup ties due to Covid could be thrown out of the competitionCredit: PA:Press Association

      But with hardly any room left in the fixture programme, anyone who is unable to play their tie is likely to see their opponents handed a bye into the next round.
      The FA have ordered all sides to undergo testing 72 hours before kick-off.
      They will foot the bill, too, to ensure lower league and non-league sides can take part.
      FA rules are not set in stone as to what would happen if a club cannot fulfil a fixture, unlike in the first three rounds of the Carabao Cup which saw Leyton Orient forfeit their game against Tottenham.

      But FA Cup bosses have made it clear to all 64 sides in round three that they can appeal to the Professional Game Board for a postponement if they are hit by an infection.
      Yet they’ve also been told they’re likely to suffer the ultimate sanction.
      Five games across the Premier League and EFL fell victim to coronavirus cancellations last weekend.
      It’s widely expected other teams will be hit in the coming days.

      Arsenal won last season’s FA Cup after coronavirus caused a three-month delayCredit: PA:Press Association

      Urgent talks will be held between the FA and relevant leagues in the event of a forced postponement, in a bid to find a free date to reschedule a tie.
      But the fourth round cannot be shifted, and with league games being played in between there is little scope to squeeze in a new date.
      Chelsea, for example, only have five days between their third-round game with Morecambe and the Premier League clash with Fulham.
      They then take on Leicester the following Tuesday, before the scheduled fourth round on the weekend of January 23.
      It is virtually impossible to find a date in that period when a new game can be played.
      So if the Blues were the ones who were unable to play, in that case Morecambe would be handed a bye into the fourth round.

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      FA tells clubs third-round ties MUST be completed even if they are down to 14 players amid coronavirus hell

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      THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has instructed clubs they must play their FA Cup third-round ties next week – even if they only have 14 Covid-free players available.
      There have been growing concerns within the FA that the competition could be thrown into chaos if a number of fixtures are postponed.

      The FA has told clubs they must fulfil their third-round ties

      Clubs were informed of the decision via email on Friday as a steep rise in coronavirus cases in the UK threatens the completion of the third round.
      To fit into a truncated 2020-21 season, replays have been removed from this season’s edition of the FA Cup.
      As a result, there is little room in the domestic football calendar to play a third-round tie if clubs are unable to put out a team.
      Premier League clubs were informed at the start of the season they would have to play with a minimum of 14 eligible players, including youngsters with any first-team experience.

      However, recent postponements have caused confusion over the criteria needed for matches to be called off.
      The FA’s competitions officer, Chris Darnell, advised clubs FA Cup fixtures will have to be played in order to ‘mitigate the risk of causing disruption to the wider fixture schedule’.
      Any clubs unable to select 14 Covid-19 negative players must report the issue to the FA, at which point an FA sub-committee will determine whether the matter merits a postponement.
      Fulham’s trip to Burnley was postponed on Saturday after more first-team players tested positive for Covid-19.

      The match became the third postponement in the Premier League this week following Fulham’s previous fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday, and Everton versus Manchester City on Monday.
      Fulham’s players and staff were retested following the cancellation of their clash with Spurs but further cases have resulted in the postponement of Sunday’s match at Turf Moor.
      There are further concerns next week’s tests at Football League clubs – the first widespread testing at that level since November – will unearth a number of positive cases.
      Premier League clubs currently test their players and staff twice a week but there has been no regular testing of EFL players, with clubs instead isolating players and staff who report symptoms.
      The FA has offered clubs financial support for more testing to ensure they are able to reach the minimum requirements of the competition.

      Jose Mourinho waits around with his team as match between Tottenham and Fulham is cancelled More

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      Seventeen Women’s FA Cup second round games AXED due to Covid-19 restrictions

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      ALL but one of the 18 Women’s FA Cup ties scheduled for this weekend have been CANCELLED due to coronavirus restrictions. 
      Liverpool Feds’ clash with Huddersfield Town is the only second round match going ahead with much of the nation now under Tier 4 guidelines.

      Seventeen second round Women’s FA Cup games have been AXED due to Covid-19 restrictions

      Football chiefs are expecting to reschedule fixtures at a later date along with a first round encounter between Kent United and Enfield Town which is yet to be played. 
      And officials say they are liaising with the government on managing health and safety of players and club staff at cup fixtures.
      Women’s Super League and Championship sides will enter the competition’s draw from the fourth round onwards.
      In a statement, the FA said: “The Government announced further COVID-19 regulations across the UK, with the majority of the country now under Tier 4 restrictions. 

      “As a result, all but one of this weekend’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup second round ties will be postponed and rearranged for a later date.
      “We are working with the Government to find a way to reschedule these Vitality Women’s FA Cup matches at the earliest opportunity while ensuring that we maintain our priority of keeping our players, officials and everyone involved on a matchday safe.
      “Further details will be confirmed in due course.”
      The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over the women’s game for much of this year.  

      Liverpool Feds’ match with Huddersfield is the only second round Women’s FA Cup going aheadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      In addition to curtailing last season, a spate of positive coronavirus results led to the cancellation of two top-flight games in the weekend before Christmas.  
      And this month 32 Covid-19 tests returned positive out of 864 conducted in the WSL and Women’s Championship. 
      This is the highest number of coronavirus cases announced since weekly testing in the women’s top tiers began.

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      Every FA Cup third round tie LIVE on TV with Marine vs Tottenham given top billing on BBC

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      MARINE’S plum FA Cup tie with Tottenham will be shown live on BBC One at 5pm.
      The eighth-tier side pocket £75,000 for being broadcast live on TV and pick up an extra £61,500 if they cause an upset.

      Jose Mourinho will take his high-flying Spurs to eighth-tier Marine for a Sunday tea-time clash live on BBC on January 10Credit: AFP

      Marine celebrating beating Havant & Waterlooville in round two – to set up the biggest match in their history Credit: PA:Press Association

      The gap between the two sides is the biggest in FA Cup third-round history as the Mersysiders welcome Jose Mourinho’s Premier League leaders to Rossett Park on Sunday, January 10.
      Leeds’ trip to League Two Crawley will be shown Sunday lunchtime on the Beeb while Arsenal’s game with Newcastle is the day before at 5.30pm.
      BT Sport are to show National League North side Chorley taking on Derby at 1.30pm on third-round Saturday, with Manchester United and Watford kicking off at 8pm on the same channel.

      ALL THE TV GAMES

      HERE’S where you can find all the matches live on TV for FA Cup third-round weekend

      FRIDAY 8 JANUARY 2021Aston Villa v Liverpool (7.45pm*) – BT Sport 1
      SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 2021Chorley v Derby County (12.15pm) – BT Sport 1Arsenal v Newcastle United (5.30pm) – BBC OneManchester United v Watford (8pm) – BT Sport 1
      SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 2021Crawley Town v Leeds United (1.30pm) – BBC OneMarine v Tottenham Hotspur (5pm) – BBC OneNewport County v Brighton & Hove Albion (7.45pm) – BT Sport 1
      MONDAY 11 JANUARY 2021Stockport County v West Ham United (8pm) – BT Sport 1

      West Ham’s clash at National League Stockport will be shown on Monday January 11, on BT Sport.

      All other matches will be made available to stream across a combination of platforms and red-button services on the BBC and BT Sport, with eight other games being put on The FA Player.
      Marine were already ecstatic at by far the biggest game in their history – even before their TV pay-day.
      Neil Young, manager of the Northern Premier League Division One North West club, said: “It’s an unbelievable draw. We will plan as best we can.
      “Usually with Jose’s teams, he puts pretty strong sides out.

      “We have won seven games to get here and this is a great reward.”

      Manchester City, who were drawn at home to Birmingham, are the bookies’ favourites at around 7/2.
      Next come Chelsea and Liverpool on about 8/1, with United on 9/1.
      Spurs actually might be flattered to not be amongst that group – as perhaps it suggests bookies reckon Mourinho’s men will remain busy in the Prem title race.

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      FA Cup to allow five subs and pile pressure on Premier League to change amid manager pressure

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      FIVE substitutes will be allowed in the FA Cup from the third round stage – in a move that will put further pressure on the Prem.
      In a major rebuff to Prem club chiefs who have refused to budge over the issue which has brought bitter division between the Big Six and the rest, the FA voted to fall into line with Uefa and Europe’s major leagues.

      Five substitutes will be allowed in the FA Cup from the third round stageCredit: Reuters

      Manchester City did not make one sub against Fulham Credit: AFP

      It means top flight clubs will be able to use five subs in European competition and in the world’s most famous knock-out tournament – but not in the Premier League.
      And that sets the scene for a further inter-club row after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warned Gareth Southgate his England squad for Euro 2020 could be scuppered by injuries as a result of the League’s refusal to.
      The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow five substitutes from the third round stage of the competition next month.
      Three Prem clubs are on the Board, along with League solicitor – and interim FA chairman – Peter McCormick.

      And while Brighton chief executive Paul Barber and Spurs director Rebecca Caplehorn represent clubs who have supported five substitutes, Crystal Palace, represented by chief executive Phil Alexander, have opposed the move.
      SunSport revealed that 15 of the 20 Prem managers signalled they were in support of reverting to five subs at their meeting last month.
      Despite that, no vote has been taken at Prem boardroom level after at least two of the clubs whose managers changed their personal stance made it clear they would NOT alter their position.
      Under Prem rules, it needs 14 clubs in favour to bring in a rule change and both votes for five substitutes were defeated by 11 to nine, well short of the majority required.

      Klopp’s anger at the issue has boiled over in recent weeks and his frustration is shared by the rest of the Big Six, who have pointed fingers at League chief executive Richard Masters for not attempting to dragoon the rebels into line.
      The Liverpool chief argues that sticking with three subs poses a serious risk to player safety and welfare, especially as clubs are entering the most hectic domestic period of the most congested season in the history of the English game.
      But now the FA’s move and the unanimous vote will add to the demands for the Prem clubs to think again and there could yet be a third vote called by the Big Six before Christmas.

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      Tottenham could be forced to face Marine in FA Cup at Anfield if eighth-tier minnows can’t make ground Covid safe

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      TOTTENHAM’S FA Cup tie against Marine could be moved to Anfield. The eighth-tier minnows are located in Tier 2, meaning that as many as 2,000 fans could be permitted to attend. Their Rossett Park home, however, only boasts a capacity of 3,000 – making social distancing very difficult. Manager Neil Young has insisted that they […] More

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      FA Cup 3rd round in FULL, fixture dates: Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea games CONFIRMED as Prem sides join in

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      IT’s that time of the season already – the FA Cup third round is HERE!
      And the draw has thrown up some tasty ties as the Premier League big boys join the world’s oldest national football competition kicks on.

      Aubameyang and Arteta celebrate the FA Cup victory
      What are the FA Cup third round fixtures?

      The draw was made on Monday, November 30 – with Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham visiting EIGHTH-TIER Marine in the headline tie.
      Liverpool travel to Aston Villa, scene of their 7-2 thrashing earlier this season.
      Holders Arsenal open up against Newcastle United at the Emirates.
      Huddersfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
      Southampton v Shrewsbury Town
      Chorley v Derby County
      Marine v Tottenham Hotspur
      Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace
      Stockport County v West Ham United
      Oldham Athletic v Bournemouth
      Manchester United v Watford
      Stevenage v Swansea
      Everton v Rotherham
      Nottingham Forest v Cardiff
      Arsenal v Newcastle
      Barnsley v Tranmere Rovers
      Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United
      Canvey Island/Boreham Wood v Millwall
      Blackburn Rovers v Doncaster
      Stoke City v Leicester
      Wycombe v Preston
      Crawley v Leeds
      Burnley v MK Dons
      Bristol City v Portsmouth
      QPR v Fulham
      Aston Villa v Liverpool
      Brentford v Middlesbrough
      Manchester City v Birmingham
      Luton v Reading
      Chelsea v Morecambe
      Exeter v Sheffield Wednesday
      Norwich v Coventry
      Blackpool v West Brom
      Newport County v Brighton
      Cheltenham v Mansfield
      When is the 3rd round taking place?
      This season’s third round proper takes place across the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 January 2021.

      The 32 winning clubs at this stage will collect £82,000 from the competition’s prize fund.
      FA Cup 3rd round draw – as it happened
      What happened last season?
      ARSENAL lifted the FA Cup for a record 14th time with a win over Chelsea at fanless Wembley Stadium.
      Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice in the 2-1 triumph in August.

      Aubameyang said after the win: “We enjoyed today and we are happy as you can see.
      “I think we deserved this win, he [Arteta] did a great job and we are happy to have him.”
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “It was a difficult start after we conceded a goal so early, but if I know something about this group of players, I know they weren’t going to give up,” he said.
      “They reacted straightaway and played probably the best 30 minutes since I arrived and we equalised.
      “And then in the second half, as we were close to winning the trophy, everyone worked extremely hard and I’m so proud to represent these players and this club.
      “It’s a double reward for us because it’s very important for this club to be in Europe and we’ve done it through winning this competition again, it’s 14 now and we all contributed and I’m so happy.” More