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Oxford United 0-3 Arsenal: 3 talking points as Eddie Nketiah nets a brace

Adam Schultz
Adam Schultz

Pain in the Arsenal

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (R) celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the FA Cup third round football match between Oxford United and Arsenal at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, west of London, on January 9, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal secured their place in the FA Cup fourth round after a 3-0 win over Oxford United. Three second-half goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah (x2) were enough for the Gunners on what was a difficult night.

Mikel Arteta made a few changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Newcastle last Tuesday as Matt Turner, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny, Sambi Lokonga, and Fabio Viera all got their chance to impress.

The first half was as poor as Arsenal have been all year, as Oxford’s pressure and organisation rendered the Gunners rudderless for 45 minutes.

The visitors improved after the restart, though, and eventually broke the deadlock just after the hour. A free kick from Fabio Vieira found its way to Mohamed Elneny, who headed home from close range.

Eddie Nketiah doubled Arsenal’s lead minutes later as Vieira sent him through before the in-form striker rounded the keeper and slotted home. He soon added a third with a neat little dink and the Premier League leaders saw out the remaining minutes to cruise to a comfortable win that sometimes seemed a long way away.

Next in the FA Cup is the small matter of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Oxford United 0-3 Arsenal: 3 talking points as Eddie Nketiah nets a brace

The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.

1. Central midfield needs an upgrade

One of the most glaring things to come out of the game is something we knew already…the midfield needs reinforcements. While all the Mykhailo Mudryk talk has dominated the headlines, Arsenal’s midfield needs to add another body and a good one.

Without Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s midfield looked like a shell of itself. Mohamed Elneny (his nice goal aside) and Sambi Lokonga simply aren’t the answer (Lokonga may be in due time), and it was evident that Arsenal needs to add another midfielder this January.

Continued on the next slide…

Nketiah has scored four in four since Christmas. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Nketiah has scored four in four since Christmas. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

2. Eddie at the double

Coming into the game, Nketiah had a chance to further stake his claim as the starter. He did just that. While clearly second behind the injured Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order, Nketiah has a knack for finding the back of the net.

Both his goals tonight were of top quality and superb finishes. He is getting an extended run in the team, and it’s paying dividends, as the absence of Jesus isn’t being felt just yet.

Continued on the next slide…

Emile Smith Rowe made his long-awaited return on Monday night. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Emile Smith Rowe made his long-awaited return on Monday night. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

3. Emile Smith Rowe is back!

It feels like forever since we last saw Emile Smith Rowe in action Against Oxford, Mikel Arteta gave the Englishman some much-needed game time, with Arsenal having settled the tie.

https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1612563087856488458?s=20&t=Xix3wHQMPC2S7cBv_yO7mg

Adding Smith Rowe into the squad at this time of the year will prove to be like a new signing for Arteta. ESR even went close to marking his return with a goal, but his effort went just wide.

It was so good to see Smith Rowe in the Arsenal setup again.

Adam Schultz

Adam Schultz

Adam is a freelance sports journalist and has been covering football for over five years. Adam is a football lover, has supported Arsenal since 2003 and he is not afraid to share his opinions on the club.