Oxford Utd 0-3 Arsenal: Nketiah brace sets up tasty tie at Man City

Arsenal staged a blockbuster FA Cup fourth round clash at Manchester City after finally knocking out third-tier Oxford on Monday night.

Mikel Arteta has made seven changes since the recent goalless stalemate with Newcastle and the Premier League leaders were forced to work for a 3-0 win at Kassam Stadium.

Neither team had a shot on target in a totally forgettable opener 45 minutes before Mohamed Elneny's first goal in 617 days broke the deadlock and a classy brace from Eddie Nketiah wrapped up the game victory.

Bukayo Saka also limped on a night out where the scoreline finally flattered Arsenal, who now travel to nearest rivals City as a reward.

A regular opening half hour saw Arsenal dominate the ball without testing Edward McGinty in the Oxford goal.

While five of those arriving from the visiting side were full internationals, there was a distinct lack of the kind of cohesion that saw them amass a five-point lead over defending champions Pep Guardiola at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal were denied a loud penalty shout as a drive by Albert Sambi Lokonga was blocked by Elliott Moore's flailing arm but, with no VAR in operation, referee David Coote did not not moved.

It wasn't until 10 minutes after the interval that the crowd witnessed a shot on target, Saka cutting inside before having his effort cleared off the line by Lewis Bate.

Arteta responded to the deadlock by introducing Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko from the bench - but it was another pair that combined for the opener.

Moments after the substitutions and the 14 FA Cup winners were ahead, Fabio Vieira - arguably the most ineffective player on the pitch in the opening hour - provided a free kick into the box that Elneny led with force.

Vieira was on hand again to build on Arsenal's second, sliding a fine through ball which was collected by Nketiah, who showed his composure as he rounded McGinty and tapped home.

READ MORE: Vieira's hopeless excellence and Tomiyasu's mediocrity are both signs of Arsenal's progress under Arteta

Nketiah would double for the evening with a deft finish off a pass from Gabriel Martinelli, despite appearing offside, with a lack of VAR working in favor of Arsenal.

Saka had fallen injured moments earlier and limped off to the side of the pitch to be replaced by Emile Smith Rowe - fellow England international and Hale End academy product returning from a four-month injury layoff .

He almost capped his comeback with a goal but saw a deflected effort inches from the post, although by then the result was in hand.

Saka's knock will be the main concern for Arteta, who takes his side to face neighbors Tottenham on Sunday afternoon following the hard-fought win.