Oxford United manager Karl Robinson played a begrudging tribute to Fabio Vieira and Mohamed Elneny after the duo combined to set Arsenal on their way during Monday’s 3-0 FA Cup third round win at the Kassam Stadium, speaking via The Metro.
Depending on who you ask, it either took a moment of class or a moment of good fortune for Arsenal to break Oxford’s brave resistance.
But even if the legitimacy of that game-changing 63rd minute free-kick is up for debate, there can be no doubt about the quality of the eventual delivery. Fabio Vieira whipped a sublime left-footed cross onto the head of an onrushing Elneny; the brilliance of the ball matched by the enthusiasm of the finish.
“Questionable whether it was a free kick or not. The scream certainly led to the free kick! It was certainly very loud,” Robinson grumbled at full-time.
“Then the ball in is the reason why they’re Premier League players. The quality, the aggression, the athleticism to head that was unbelievable.”
FABIO VIEIRA SETS UP TWO GOALS AS ARSENAL BEAT OXFORD UNITED IN FA CUP
Until that moment – the seldom-seen Elneny scoring just his sixth goal in over 150 games for the London giants – third-tier Oxford had more than held their own against the Premier League leaders. But 0-0 turned into 3-0 inside just 13 second-half minutes; the red-hot Eddie Nketiah twice converting stylishly when put through by Gabriel Martinelli and the instrumental Vieira.
“From my point of view, my players did the football club proud,” Robinson adds. “I felt we fought in all areas of the game. I thought we didn’t look like a team that was so far apart against a top-level team.”
Nketiah now has five goals in his last five starts for Arsenal. It seems that any fears regarding Gabriel Jesus’ injury issues have been misplaced; the academy graduate stepping up valiantly in the Brazilian’s absence.
With all due respect to a plucky Oxford side, Arsenal should face a far greater test of their silverware ambitions in round four. The Gunners will travel to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on January 28th.
Mikel Arteta provides injury update for key Arsenal star
Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka after he was substituted against Oxford United.
Saka went off injured late in the second half, and it was a bit of a surprise to see him be kept on for so long. When Arsenal went two goals ahead, it felt like the perfect time to take Saka off, but Arteta kept him on.
However, Arteta doesn’t sound too concerned, as he’s confirmed that Saka is “fine”, speaking after the game.
Arteta also appeared not to rule out any new additions in the January transfer window.
SOURCE: hitc.com, caughtoffside.com
