ARSENAL swept aside League 1 Oxford as they got their FA Cup campaign up and running. The Gunners struggled in the first-half and fans may have been fearing a repeat of last year’s third round calamity at Nottingham Forest.
Eddie Nketiah had another two goals to add to his lot this eveningCredit: Getty
Vieira impressed with his key contributions from midfieldCredit: Dan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited
But Mikel Arteta’s side got their act together and outclassed Oxford.
Mohamed Elneny powered home a header after the hour mark from Fabio Vieira’s free-kick.
Before two brilliantly taken goals from Eddie Nketiah sealed passage to the fourth round.
Up next will be Manchester City in a mouth-watering cup-clash.
SunSport’s Kiro Evans runs through who impressed, and who didn’t, for Arsenal tonight.
Matt Turner – 7
The American had to come storming off his line to charge down Matty Taylor at the beginning of the second-half.
Apart from a couple of nervy moments in possession in the first 45, it was a straightforward evening for the back-up keeper.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
Not always the most attacking full-back but Tomiyasu made some decent overlaps down the right of Bukayo Saka in search of an opening.
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More memorably he caused chaos in the box for Oxford keeper Edward McGinty during corners.
Rob Holding – 6
Not always comfortable in possession but enjoyed a decent night deputising for William Saliba.
More opportunities should beckon for the defender with the Europa League knock-outs quickly approaching.
Gabriel – 7
Spent far too much time with the ball at his feet in the first-half as Arsenal coasted.
But looked steady at the back otherwise and made a couple of key interceptions and defensive headers.
Kieran Tierney – 5
Struggled to impose himself in the game and did not do enough going forward to worry Oxford.
It was unsurprising to see him taken off after an hour.
Elneny’s well-taken header provided the all-important breakthroughCredit: Reuters
Mohamed Elneny – 7
The Egyptian was not enjoying easiest game against Oxford’s robust midfield but got the breakthrough with a bullet header in the second-half.
It was a nice moment for Elneny who struggled to replicate the dominance and control that either Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey exercise in the Premier League.
Albert Sambi Lokonga – 5
The Belgian midfielder had a good argument for a penalty after his first-half shot appeared to hit the hand of the sliding Elliot Moore.
But otherwise his performance bordered on the weak and ineffective and it remains difficult to work out what exactly he excels at in midfield.
Fabio Vieira – 9
The midfielder was Martin Odegaard’s replacement in midfield and was tasked with providing the creative spark – which he eventually did.
After a quiet 45, he created a great opening for Bukayo Saka early in the second-half and then whipped in a brilliant free-kick to provide the opener.
And then he put a fantastic ball on a plate for Bukayo Saka to put the game beyond doubt. Arteta will be watching closely.
Bukayo Saka – 5
Uncharacteristically quiet in the opening 45 and overall did not seem like himself.
Walked off awkwardly in the second-half after 75 minutes of tangling with by aggressive Oxford defenders.
Eddie Nketiah – 9
Eddie Nketiah is not Gabriel Jesus. It’s a fact he will be regularly reminded of if he spends more than a minute on Twitter.
However, not being Jesus is not always a bad thing. Unlike the Brazilian, the 23-year-old is consistently deadly in front of goal.
Two brilliantly taken chances put this game to bed and underlined Nketiah’s skill of picking up dangerous positions and poaching goals with regularity.
Eddie Nketiah has had to step in and fill big, Brazilian boots but has regularly found his goal touchCredit: Getty
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Threatened to explode into life on multiple occasions but Oxford managed to re-apply the shackles before any damage was done.
Ultimately would have wanted to contribute more.
Subs
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Tierney, 60mins) – 7
A decent appearance off the bench as he kept things steady and helped Arsenal control the ball.
Granit Xhaka (for Lokonga, 60mins) – 7
After watching Arsenal flounder for an hour, Granit Xhaka came off the bench and all seemed right for the Gunners again.
He took control of the midfield and suddenly Oxford looked far less comfortable bossing the Premier League leaders around.
Emile Smith Rowe (for Saka, 74 mins) – 6
How good was it to see Emile Smith Rowe back? The midfielder has missed most of the season with injury but returned off the bench at the Kassam Stadium.
And he almost scored on his comeback but had to watch his effort get deflected wide.
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Ben White (for Tomiyasu, 81 mins) – 6
Did not get the chance to do much in his small cameo appearance.
Marquinhos (for Vieira, 81 mins) – 6
Off the bench late and did not find the time to make an impact with the game wrapped up. More
