In helping Arsenal defeat Oxford United, Nketiah scores twice.

After helping the Gunners defeat Oxford United at Kassam Stadium to advance to the FA Cup fourth round against Manchester City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks Eddie Nketiah is growing better and better.

After Mohamed Elneny’s first-half goal, Nketiah scored twice in six second-half minutes to guarantee the Gunners’ advancement.

Nketiah, who has stepped up in the absence of injured striker Gabriel Jesus, has scored five goals in his previous six outings.

He was really composed, Arteta observed. He runs at the right times and is a superb finisher.

“He shown his abilities, and his output is always improving. I’m delighted with him.

It’s difficult that we only have one [striker] and that it will be months until Gaby returns, but we must make the most of the guys we have right now.

A disciplined and well-organized Oxford team vexed the Premier League leaders in the first half before outclassing their League One rivals in the second.

Arsenal’s top creator was Fabio Vieira, who in the 63rd minute sent in a flawless free-kick for Elneny to head past Oxford goalkeeper Eddie McGinty and then seven minutes later sent a flawless ball for Nketiah to score neatly.

Oxford, who had fought so valiantly in the first half, found it difficult to handle Arsenal’s threat of attack in the second. After 76 minutes, Nketiah struck again with a deft chip over McGinty off a feed from Gabriel Martinelli to seal the titanic clash with City at Etihad Stadium.

When Bukayo Saka left the game with an injury before Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham, there was fear for Arsenal, although Arteta downplayed the severity of it.

He assured ITV Sport that “he’s alright.” He will be OK.