Arsenal beat Oxford United 3-0 in the third round of the FA Cup as Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny score for the Gunners.
The Gunners are in scintillating form this season and Eddie Nketiah ensured that they head into the North London Derby with confidence on Sunday, in the Premier League.
Manager Mikel Arteta has praised the forward for his good run of form, filling in for the injured Gabriel Jesus. BBC reports that in his past six fixtures, Nketiah has scored five goals.
Arteta said,
“He showed great composure. He’s a great finisher, with the timing of his runs as well.
“He showed his quality and his work rate is getting better and better. I’m really happy with him.
“We have only one [striker] and to go many months before Gaby is back it’s not easy, but we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment.”
A slow start to the fixture at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium. The hosts were stubborn against the Gunners, restricting them to very few chances (none on target)
In the 36th minute, Arsenal come close as Lokonga’s shot appears to have been handled by Moore as he attempted to block the effort on goal. Arsenal players get frustrated after the referee waives their penalty appeals. The lack of VAR, a challenge to the Premier League leaders. 0-0 at halftime.
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Arsenal get a scare early on in the second half as goalkeeper Matt Turner had to keep out Oxford United’s Matty Taylor from toe-poking the ball in the net, with just 4 minutes played.
Close call and the Gunners find a way past Oxford United’s goalkeeper McGinty. Vieira flicks the ball to Saka, who cuts inside and shoots only for Bate to clear off the line.
61 minutes in and Mikel Arteta makes some changes; Tierney and Lokonga are replaced by Xhaka and Zinchenko. Vieira was the brains in midfield for Arsenal and he provided the assist from a freekick in the 63rd minute for Elneny to open the scores in a tight fixture.
The Gunners’ confidence grew and Oxford United were struggling to contain them. Less than 10 minutes later and Vieira provided another sublime assist. Eddie Nketiah rounds the keeper to score in an empty net.
Five minutes later, in the 76th minute, Nketiah scores his second on the night. The perfect chip over the on-coming Oxford United goalkeeper. 3-0 Arsenal!
Arsenal were in an all-white kit on Monday as part of the ‘No More Red’ campaign;
Arsenal’s win sees them drawn to face Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, 28th January.
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