Eddie Nketiah answered Arsenal's call once again in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, netting a brace in a 3-0 FA Cup third round win at Oxford United.

Three second-half goals saw an under-par Arsenal past Oxford United to set up a mouth-watering FA Cup fourth round clash with Manchester City at the end of the month.

Mikel Arteta made seven changes for the clash against the League One side at the Kassam Stadium and the Premier League leaders struggled as a result, failing to muster a single shot on target in the first half.

But they improved massively after the interval, with Fabio Vieira producing two excellent assists to break the resistance of the hosts. The first was a fine free-kick, which was headed home by Mohamed Elneny and the second was a delightful through ball for Eddie Nketiah, who rounded Oxford keeper Ed McGinty to make it 2-0.

There was still time for Nketiah to add his second of the game, dinking a fine finish over the onrushing McGinty following Gabriel Martinelli's ball through.

In the end it was a convincing win for Arsenal, albeit after a very poor first-half display. But an injury sustained by Bukayo Saka, who seemed to pull up with 15 minutes remaining, will be a major concern ahead of Sunday's crucial north London derby at Tottenham.

GettyThe Winners

Winner: Mohamed Elneny

His first goal since 2021 and he gets a catchy new song from the away fans. It was a good night for Mohamed Elneny. You know what you are going to get from the Egypt international whenever he plays. He may not be the most spectacular of players, but he never lets Arsenal down when he is called upon and that's exactly why the club extended his deal at the end of last season. It was his goal that finally broke the Oxford resistance and opened the floodgates. It was the crucial moment of the game.

Winner: Eddie Nketiah

Two more goals for Nketiah will give his confidence another boost. Both were excellent finishes and will have been exactly what he was hoping for ahead of the north London derby this weekend. Nketiah now has four goals in four games since coming into the side to replace Gabriel Jesus and Arteta can't ask for much more than that.

Winner: Fabio Vieira

This was a strange game for Vieira. He was very ordinary in the first half, struggling to get into the game at all. So much so that it would have been no surprise to see Arteta replace him with Martin Odegaard for the second period. But he kept faith with Vieira and he was rewarded after the interval, with the Portuguese playmaker stepping up with two crucial assists, first for Elneny and then for Nketiah. They were two moments of class that highlighted Vieira's ability. The challenge for him now is showing that quality on a far more consistent basis.

AdvertisementGettyThe Losers

Loser: Albert Sambi Lokonga

This was another chance wasted for Albert Sambi Lokonga to make his mark in an Arsenal shirt. The Belgian midfielder has been at the club for 18 months now and it's still tough to work out exactly what he brings to the team. He's had plenty of opportunities to put some pressure on the more regular starters in midfield, yet is no closer to the starting XI now than he was when he first joined in the summer of 2021. He's neat and tidy when in possession, but he's yet to show he has much more to his game at either end of the pitch.

Loser: Bukayo Saka

The sight of Bukayo Saka limping off with 15 minutes remaining was a major worry ahead of the north London derby this weekend. It had been a frustrating night for Saka anyway up to that point, but the injury will now cast a bit of a cloud over the preparations for this weekend's game. He was holding the back of his leg while he was down receiving treatment and was not moving comfortably at all as he trudged round the pitch after being replaced by Emile Smith Rowe. Saka's fitness will now be a big concern for Mikel Arteta.

GettyArsenal Ratings: Defence

Matt Turner (6/10):

Comfortable night's work. Had very little to do.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10):

Didn't offer much going forward, but solid at the back.

Rob Holding (7/10):

Never really looked under pressure.

Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

Solid, winning plenty of aerial duels. Played in second gear.

Kieran Tierney (6/10):

Never really got into the game down the left, other than making a couple of overlaps.

(C)Getty ImagesMidfield

Mohamed Elneny (7/10):

Scored the crucial opener to get things moving.

Sambi Lokonga (5/10):

Disappointing. No impact at all.

Fabio Vieira (7/10):

Two fine assists in the second half.