Arsenal went on their way to Oxford in the FA Cup to continue their good form. Goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah saw Mikel Arteta’s side advance to the FA Cup Fourth Round. This is already a better result than the Gunners did in 2021/22. Last time, Nottingham Forest defeated Arsenal in the third round.
However, that was a different team from Arsenal. In both league play and cup action, Arsenal seem to be hitting on all fronts, both offensively and defensively. Although Arteta fielded a lineup that differs from his traditional starting XI, each player performed well.
In the attack, Eddie Nketiah grabbed a brace. Both goals, one-on-one with Oxford goalkeeper Edward McGinty, showed Nketiah’s patience in front of goal. In one, he dribbled around McGinty before going to the net. On the other, he finished off the goalkeeper for Arsenal’s third. Nketiah is in fine form since the return from the World Cup. He started each of Arsenal’s four games, including this one at Oxford. He now has four goals in those games.
Second half flurry pushes Arsenal to Oxford FA Cup win
As Nketiah’s goals grab the headlines, Arsenal toured their midfield. The opening goal came from Mohamed Elneny, an unlikely goalscorer, from a set piece. Fabio Vieira put the ball into the area with his left foot. Both Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu tried for the ball. However, the Egyptian stuck his head out a bit more.
Fabio Vieira got his second assist when he edged past Nketiah in Arsenal’s second. The Portuguese was making just his 10th start of the season after moving from Porto in the summer for around $35 million.
He, along with Elneny and Albert Sambi-Lokonga, represented the ‘copa’ midfield. Sambi-Lokonga and Vieira featured frequently in the Europa League group stage but have seen little action in the league, where Arsenal continue to thrive. While the middle three would always be favored against League One side Oxford, they had minimal errors in this game.
Arsenal’s defence, with American Matt Turner in goal, gave Oxford no significant chances. In the second half, Arsenal closed the game. Arteta even experimented with Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield, something he often does with the Ukraine National Team.
Mega clash in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup
The reward Arsenal got for beating Oxford is a trip to the Etihad to take on Manchester City. The two clubs that top the table have yet to play this year. His game early in the campaign was delayed due to Arsenal making up a Europa League game.
Therefore, this FA Cup tie is the first time that fans get to see league leaders Arsenal take on league favorites Manchester City. Even though that game isn’t until January 28, those two sides look set to continue their good form.
The only concern would be for . The young English winger left the game early due to injury. He was able to walk on his own.
PHOTO: IMAGO / News Images
