Arsenal scored three in the second half, beating Oxford in the FA Cup
Arsenal headed to Oxford in the FA Cup to continue their hot form. Goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah allowed Mikel Arteta’s side to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup. This is already a better result than what the Gunners did in 2021/22. Last time, Nottingham Forest defeated Arsenal in the third round.
However, that was a different Arsenal team. Both in the league and in the cup action, Arsenal seem to be working on all fronts both offensively and defensively. Although Arteta used a line-up that differed from his traditional starting line-up, each player performed well.
During 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 into the net. On the other hand, he thought it past the goalkeeper for Arsenal’s third. Nketiah has been in good shape since returning from the World Cup. He started each of Arsenal’s four games, including this one at Oxford. He now has four goals in those matches.
Second half flurry pushes Arsenal past Oxford FA Cup
As Nketiah’s goals make headlines, Arsenal ran through the midfield. The opener came from Mohamed Elneny, an unlikely goalscorer, from a set piece. Fabio Vieira shot the ball with his left foot into the penalty area. Both Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu made an attempt on the ball. Yet the Egyptian stuck his head out just a little further.
Fabio Vieira got his second assist when he shoved through Nketiah on Arsenal’s second. The Portuguese made only his 10th start of the season after moving from Porto for approx $35 million.
He represented the ‘cup’ midfield together with Elneny and Albert Sambi-Lokonga. Sambi-Lokonga and Vieira made regular appearances in the Europa League group stages, but saw little action in league fixtures in which Arsenal continue to thrive. While those middle three would always be favored against League One side Oxford, they had minimal missteps in this game.
The defense of Arsenal, with American Matt Turner in goal, did not give Oxford any significant opportunities. Arsenal stopped the game in the second half. Arteta even experimented with Oleksandr Zinchenko in a midfield role, something he often does with the Ukrainian national team.
Megaclash in the fourth round of the FA Cup
The reward Arsenal earned by beating Oxford is a trip to the Etihad to take on Manchester City. The two clubs at the top of the table have yet to play this year. Their play early in the campaign was pushed back as Arsenal played a Europa League match.
That’s why this FA Cup game will be the first time fans will see league leaders Arsenal play against league favorites Manchester City. Even though that game isn’t until January 28, those two sides seem poised to continue their good form.
The only concern would be for . The young English winger left the game early with an injury. He was able to run away on his own.
PHOTO: IMAGO / News images
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