Nketiah has scored five goals in five games as he continues to deputise for Gabriel Jesus; the 23-year-old struck twice in the 3-0 victory at the Kassam Stadium and is now Arsenal's joint-leading goalscorer alongside Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli
Tuesday 10 January 2023 14:07, UK
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is seizing his moment after his double against Oxford United set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester City.
The 23-year-old has now scored five goals in as many games as he continues to deputise for Gabriel Jesus after the Brazil forward suffered a knee injury at the World Cup.
Nketiah struck twice in the 3-0 victory at the Kassam Stadium, two smart finishes adding the gloss to a difficult game following Mohamed Elneny's headed opener.
Having started the season on the bench, Nketiah is now Arsenal's joint-leading goalscorer alongside the more regular first-team starters Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
"Obviously he's been waiting for this moment," Arteta said of Nketiah following the victory.
"He's been patient when he needed to be but as well he's been with the right mindset and preparing himself for this moment.
"That's why I think he looks ready and why he's performing the way he is. He showed great composure.
"He's a great finisher, the timing of his runs and the decision-making in waiting until the last moment when the keeper was committed shows his quality.
"His understanding, his work-rate, I think he's getting better and better."
With Jesus out, Nketiah is now the only recognised striker in Arteta's ranks and the Arsenal boss is hoping for some back-up to arrive in the January window as his side aim to build on their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Reports suggested Jesus could be out for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery in December but Arsenal and Arteta had previously refused to put a timeframe on his return.
Arteta, though, appeared to suggest Jesus would be unavailable for a few more months after the win over Oxford.
"The problem is that we have only one striker and to cope for many months until Gabby is back is not easy," he added.
"But we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment. If we can have some reinforcements, great."
Arteta also allayed fears of an injury to Saka ahead of Sunday's north London derby away to Tottenham, confirming the England forward is "fine" despite limping off in the second half.
For Oxford, a spirited performance yielded nothing in terms of a positive result, but manager Karl Robinson was happy with the display.
"We lost control of the game in the central part of the second half," he said.
"From my point of view the players did the club proud. We fought in all areas. They didn't look like a team so far apart to the other team.
"We have good players, it is the first time I have had probably my strongest team to compete. We have a good squad, a good team - one that is full of energy and exciting to watch."
