Following Arsenal’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Oxford United, Mikel Arteta allayed fears regarding Bukayo Saka’s injury and predicted more incisive performances from Fabio Vieira.
On Monday, a victory at the Kassam Stadium led to a match at Manchester City for the fourth round, but Saka was taken off in the second half.
The image of Saka staggering off was concerning for the leaders as Arsenal will play fierce rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
But ahead of this weekend’s quick journey to face Spurs, Gunners manager Arteta said the England winger is “OK.”
After a lackluster first half, Arsenal overwhelmed League One team Oxford, with goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah, who was in fine form, who added a swift double.
One of Arteta’s seven lineup adjustments saw Vieira start. He then assisted Nketiah in scoring the second goal by sending in a superb free kick that Elneny headed in to break the tie.
Due to injuries, the midfielder has had a difficult start to his Arsenal career, but Arteta is certain that he will turn out to be a wise acquisition.
Arteta told ITV Sport: “He has the quality. He is a really creative player, and he can decide games in the final third. He made a difference.”
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Nketiah has scored four goals in as many games since the World Cup in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, taking his tally for the season to seven.
Arteta said of the striker’s form: “It is what we want from every player. I am delighted. You have to be scoring goals, and he is doing it.”
He added: “We have only one [striker]. And to cope for that many months until Gabby’s back is not easy. We have to make the most out of the players we’ve got.”