Mikel Arteta was happy with what he saw from Pablo Mari and really impressed with Eddie Nketiah against Portsmouth as Arsenal made their way into the next round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win on Monday night.

Goals from Sokratis and Eddie Nketiah ensured Arsenal would be in the hat for the next round and speaking after the game, Arteta was asked about Mari’s debut.

“I think he looked comfortable,” said Mikel Arteta. “He is very vocal and very comfortable on the ball, always commanding the back four and he looked like he’s played here for months. I think we have a good player.”

Arteta then spoke about Eddie Nketiah who scored his third goal for the club since returning from Leeds who deemed him not good enough to start in the Championship.

“He has been phenomenal,” added Arteta. “The workrate that he puts in, the rhythm that he goes into pressing, his understanding of the game – when to come and when to go in behind – and always in front of goal, he is ready to score.”