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By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Kassam Stadium
Last updated on 1 minute ago.From the section FA Cup
Eddie Nketiah's two goals came in a dominant second-half display by ArsenalArsenal set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester City after making their class tell to overcome League One Oxford United at Kassam Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders were frustrated in the first half by a well-organised and disciplined Oxford side before eventually overpowering their opponents.
Fabio Vieira was Arsenal's creator-in-chief, sending in a perfect free-kick for Mohamed Elneny to head past Oxford goalkeeper Eddie McGinty in the 63rd minute before playing a perfect pass for Eddie Nketiah to finish calmly finish seven minutes later.
Oxford, who had battled so hard, were now struggling to cope with Arsenal's attacking threat and Nketiah was on the mark again after 76 minutes with a delicate chip over McGinty from Gabriel Martinelli's pass to confirm that powerhouse meeting with City at Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal get the job done
Arteta will have been disappointed by the Gunners' sterile first-half performance but once they clicked into gear they inevitably had too much for Oxford.
Nketiah and Vieira were the two stars of the show, the latter coming through a struggle in the first half to show his quality in delivery and passing as the Premier League side finally exerted their authority.
Vieira's free-kick was the perfect invite for Elneny to break the deadlock with a powerful close-range header and his pass for Nketiah to round McGinty was just as good.
Nketiah showed his class in front of goal with his third as he continued to deputise so well for the injured Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal were not exactly sparkling but that is not the priority in these games. It is getting into the next round and they achieved it with something to spare, Oxford not creating a serious moment of danger in the game.
The visitors increased the tempo and urgency after the break and once Elneny put them ahead there was never going to be a shock.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21McGinty
- 33Anderson
- 5Moore
- 2Long
- 16BrownBooked at 59minsSubstituted forFlemingat 84'minutes
- 14Bate
- 8Brannagan
- 23MurphySubstituted forWildschutat 62'minutes
- 18McGuaneSubstituted forJohnsonat 84'minutes
- 7BodinSubstituted forGoodrhamat 77'minutes
- 9TaylorSubstituted forO'Donkorat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Fleming
- 4Findlay
- 13Eastwood
- 24Johnson
- 27Goodrham
- 28Negru
- 30Wildschut
- 32Sade
- 39O'Donkor
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 30Turner
- 18TomiyasuSubstituted forWhiteat 81'minutes
- 16Holding
- 6Gabriel
- 3TierneySubstituted forZinchenkoat 61'minutes
- 21Fábio VieiraSubstituted forMarquinhosat 82'minutes
- 25Elneny
- 23Sambi LokongaSubstituted forXhakaat 62'minutes
- 7SakaSubstituted forSmith Roweat 75'minutes
- 14Nketiah
- 11Martinelli
Substitutes
- 4White
- 5Partey
- 8Ødegaard
- 10Smith Rowe
- 27Marquinhos
- 31Hein
- 34Xhaka
- 35Zinchenko
- 43Butler-Oyedeji
Referee:David Coote
Attendance:11,538
Live Text
Match ends, Oxford United 0, Arsenal 3.
Second Half ends, Oxford United 0, Arsenal 3.
Hand ball by Marquinhos (Arsenal).
Attempt missed. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Attempt blocked. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Elneny.
Attempt saved. Sam Long (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tyler Goodrham with a cross.
Foul by Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal).
Gatlin O'Donkor (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Oxford United. Brandon Fleming replaces Ciaron Brown.
Substitution, Oxford United. Joshua Johnson replaces Marcus McGuane.
Attempt missed. Cameron Brannagan (Oxford United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Gabriel Magalhães.
Foul by Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal).
Gatlin O'Donkor (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Arsenal. Marquinhos replaces Fábio Vieira.
Substitution, Arsenal. Ben White replaces Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Djavan Anderson.
Attempt blocked. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gabriel Martinelli.
Substitution, Oxford United. Gatlin O'Donkor replaces Matty Taylor.
Substitution, Oxford United. Tyler Goodrham replaces Billy Bodin.
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