MARCUS McGuane is playing down coming up against his former side, says his Oxford United teammate Lewis Bate.

McGuane came through the academy at Arsenal, playing as a youngster in the Europa League for the Gunners, before a move to Barcelona.

He made one substitute appearance for Barca, in the Catalonia Supercup.

Bate said McGuane is relaxed about taking on his former side when United welcome Arsenal in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

“I think he’s played it under that he’s playing it against his old team and brushed it under the carpet a little bit,” said Bate.

“He doesn’t want to make too much of a fuss about it, but I know it’ll be a massive game for him.

“At the same time, he won’t treat it any differently to any other game, and he’ll go do his thing and play how he usually he does.”

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U’s head coach Karl Robinson added: “He [McGuane] doesn’t buy into the industry, he just loves playing football.

“Kyle Joseph’s a big Arsenal fan and he’s devastated to miss the game.

“For the players who are fans of the teams you’re playing against, it’s brilliant.”