Even with a half-strength side on display, FA Cup holders Arsenal began their defence of the trophy with a comfortable victory against Third Division Oxford.

In a low-tempo game, the Gunners never raised themselves out of second gear but, in truth, they never really had to.

The Premiership leaders took an early lead through Dennis Bergkamp's 100th goal for the club and the Dutchman was a class apart throughout, even if he did also manage to catch Bobby Ford in the head with his elbow.

With Francis Jeffers allowing a clutch of chances to pass him by despite his ceaseless running, it was not until the 68th minute that an own goal by Scott McNiven put the home side beyond reach.

Arsenal had started with just four first-team regulars - Bergkamp, David Seaman, Martin Keown and Robert Pires - as the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole were resting knocks.

That meant 19-year-old Sebastian Svard, a Denmark Under-21 international, came into the side for only his third first-team appearance and his first outside the Worthington Cup.

Oxford, meanwhile, arrived on the back of an unbeaten eight-match run which has seen them rise to fourth place in the table, with Ian Atkins winning the Third Division's December manager of the month award.

His side were given a rapturous welcome by the raucous travelling support of around 6,000 fans, who filled out the Clock End of the stadium.

With a five-man midfield looking to swamp the central areas, they made a positive start and Steve Basham had the ball in the back of the net after less than a minute, although the offside flag had already been raised.

That, however, was the sum total of Oxford's attacking adventure during a first half which Arsenal almost totally dominated even in only second gear.

With 15 minutes gone, the impressive Svard clipped the ball to Jeffers, who in turn flicked it to Bergkamp as he broke into the penalty area.

The Dutchman's first touch effortlessly brought the ball into his path without breaking stride and his second clipped the ball over keeper Woodman.

Thereafter, for all of Oxford's dogged resistance, the only real question was how many more times Arsenal would score.

However, Jeffers struck the side-netting and was then denied by Woodman's legs after Edu had put him clean through, while he also skimmed the bar with a lob.

Oxford were forced to resort to hopeful long balls forward in search of their stranded strikeforce, with their only shot, from wing-back Scott McNiven, being skied way over the top.

They tried to be more adventurous after the interval, with Jefferson Louis, whose half-naked celebrations at being drawn against Arsenal were televised to the nation, on for David Oldfield.

Still Arsenal pressed though and still they failed to increase their lead, with Jeffers clipping a shot wide on the turn.

Indeed, when the second breakthrough did eventually come, Arsenal enjoyed a large slice of good luck as Pires' corner was volleyed into his own net by McNiven as he tried to clear.

With nothing to lose, Oxford finally threw more players forward and substitute Andy Scott directed a free header straight at Seaman, but there was little chance of a comeback.

Indeed, Arsenal instead introduced teenager David Bentley for his first-team debut and he soon attempted a lob over Woodman which the keeper managed to grasp.

Edu was also denied and a clear-cut penalty for a foul on Pires was not awarded. Then again, Arsenal's below-strength side were already home and dry.

Atkins' side could nevertheless take heart from holding the Gunners to a two-goal margin.

Teams:
Arsenal: Seaman, Luzhny, Keown, Upson, van Bronckhorst, Toure (Bentley 77), Svard (Silva 77), Edu, Pires, Jeffers, Bergkamp (Wiltord 80).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Stepanovs.

Goals: Bergkamp 15, McNiven 67 og.

Oxford Utd: Woodman, McNiven, Savage (Scott 64), Crosby, Waterman, Robinson, Ford, Hunter, Bound, Oldfield (Louis 54), Basham (Steele 84).

Subs Not Used: Whitehead, Sall.

Booked: Ford, Robinson, Waterman.

Attendance: 35,432

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucestershire).