Mikel Arteta issues Bukayo Saka injury update after Arsenal’s FA Cup win

The 21-year-old England international came off in the final 15 minutes of the FA Cup tie at Oxford with a suspected knee problem.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down concerns over Bukayo Saka.

In the 75th minute of Arsenal’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Oxford United, Arteta replaced Saka with the returning Emile Smith Rowe after the winger went down with a suspected knee injury.

However, Saka walked back to the bench as Smith Rowe came on for him, with Arteta later telling ITV Sport: “He’s fine”.

Arteta praises Vieira & Nketiah

For Monday’s third-round tie, Arteta made seven changes to his line-up. Fabio Vieira, a €35 million summer signing from FC Porto, was one player to get a rare start. The 22-year-old delivered a fine performance at the Kassam Stadium, setting up Arsenal’s first two goals.

“He has the quality,” Arteta said of Vieira. “He is a really creative player, and he can decide games in the final third. He made a difference.”

Mohamed Elneny opened the scoring in the second half before Eddie Nketiah bagged a quick-fire brace. The double extended the striker’s post-World Cup tally to four goals in as many games.

“It is what we want from every player,” Arteta said of Nketiah. “I am delighted. You have to be scoring goals, and he is doing it.”

The Spaniard added: “We have only one [striker]. And to cope for that many months until Gabby’s [Gabriel Jesus] back is not easy. We have to make the most out of the players we’ve got.”

Arsenal will next visit north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday in the Premier League. They will then face Manchester United the following Sunday at home, before visiting Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on January 28.