OXFORD: Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal set up an FA Cup fourth-round clash away to Manchester City after seeing off third-tier Oxford United 3-0 on Monday.

Mohamed Elneny’s header opened the floodgates at the Kassam Stadium after the Premier League leaders failed to make the breakthrough for over an hour.

Nketiah then sealed the win by taking his tally to four goals in as many games since the World Cup break.

“It is always difficult to win in these rounds,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told ITV Sport. “You have to be patient and we were, waiting for the openings to come.“Eddie is scoring goals and contributing to the way we play and I am delighted for him. He has to be scoring goals and he is doing it.”

Arteta named a strong side featuring his preferred front three in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli flanked Nketiah in attack.

Arsenal were dominant in possession before the break but struggled to create any clear-cut chances and were further frustrated by the decision not to award a penalty for handball when Elliott Moore blocked Albert Sambi Lokonga’s effort.

Fabio Vieira was one of those not commonly in Arteta’s starting line-up given a chance to shine and the Portuguese made his mark after the break with two assists.

The former Porto midfielder’s inviting free-kick was headed in powerfully by Elneny for the Egyptian’s first goal since 2021.

Nketiah then continued to make the most of his prolonged run in the side following Jesus’ injury.

The all-time top goalscorer for England’s under-21s coolly rounded Edward McGinty from Vieira’s through ball to roll into an empty net.

“Every player wants to play,” Nketiah said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities and just want to keep helping the team.”

Saka was then replaced after receiving treatment in concerning scenes for Arsenal, but there was some solace in the return of Emile Smith Rowe for the first time since September.

Nketiah added his second of the night with another cheeky finish as he dinked the ball over McGinty from Martinelli’s pass 14 minutes from time.

A much tougher test awaits in the next round when the Premier League’s top two will go head-to-head at the Etihad on the last weekend of January.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2023