Mikel Arteta says Eddie Nketiah is seizing his second after Arsenal beat Oxford

Mikel Arteta believes Eddie Nketiah is seizing his second, having hit a brace in Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round win at Oxford.

The 23-year-old has now scored 5 objectives in as many video games as he continues to deputise for Gabriel Jesus after the Brazil ahead suffered a knee harm on the World Cup.

Nketiah struck twice within the 3-0 victory on the Kassam Stadium, two sensible finishes including the gloss to a troublesome recreation following Mohamed Elneny’s headed opener.

Having began the season on the bench, Nketiah is now Arsenal’s joint-leading goalscorer alongside the extra common first-team starters Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

“Clearly he’s been ready for this second,” Arteta stated of Nketiah following the victory.

“He’s been affected person when he wanted to be however as effectively he’s been with the suitable mindset and making ready himself for this second.

“That’s why I feel he seems prepared and why he’s performing the best way he’s. He confirmed nice composure.

“He’s an incredible finisher, the timing of his runs and the decision-making in ready till the final second when the keeper was dedicated exhibits his high quality.

“His understanding, his work-rate, I feel he’s getting higher and higher.”

With Jesus out, Nketiah is now the one recognised striker in Arteta’s ranks and the Arsenal boss is hoping for some back-up to reach within the January window as his aspect purpose to construct on their five-point lead on the high of the Premier League.

“The issue is that we’ve got just one striker and to manage for a lot of months till Gabby is again shouldn’t be straightforward,” he added.

“However we’ve got to get essentially the most out of the gamers that we’ve got in the mean time. If we will have some reinforcements, nice.”

A win at third-tier Oxford means Arsenal will now journey to face Manchester Metropolis in spherical 4, with Pep Guardiola’s aspect additionally sitting second within the desk able to pounce on any errors.

“It’s all the time powerful to win these matches,” added Arteta.

“They matched up, it was a bodily recreation in lots of moments however we stood by that. They’re a direct crew and we needed to management sure issues higher.

“We modified issues within the second half and obtained extra management of the sport and located the openings to win.”

Arteta additionally allayed fears of an harm to Saka forward of Sunday’s north London derby away to Tottenham, confirming the England ahead is “superb” regardless of limping off within the second half.

For Oxford, a spirited efficiency yielded nothing when it comes to a optimistic end result, however supervisor Karl Robinson was pleased with the show.

“We misplaced management of the sport within the central a part of the second half,” he stated.

“From my viewpoint the gamers did the membership proud. We fought in all areas. They didn’t appear like a crew thus far aside to the opposite crew.

“We’ve got good gamers, it’s the first time I’ve had in all probability my strongest crew to compete. We’ve got a great squad, a great crew – one which is stuffed with vitality and thrilling to look at.”