Nketiah scored twice in six second-half minutes after Mohamed Elneny’s opener to secure the Gunners’ progression.
Browsing: Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian international’s current contract at the Emirates was due to expire at the end of June but he has now signed a new one-year deal with the option to extend.
The Gunners said they have “reluctantly taken this step” because of injuries, positive COVID-19 cases and players away with their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The 32-year-old former captain of Arsenal now has to self-isolate and is a major doubt for Gabon’s opening two matches.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), the final 23-man squad will be announced by the end of December.
Mikel Arteta changed his entire XI for the trip to Dublin, naming a raft of youngsters in his squad, and they took an early lead when Eddie Nketiah slotted home.
Egyptian international Salah first tested positive for Covid-19 on November 13 while on international duty with Egypt and after partying at his brother’s wedding.
Alex Iwobi could miss Arsenal’s opening Premier League game of the season if Nigeria reach the latter stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Key players of the team have been named as usual for the squad, led by Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, Arsenal’s midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Aston Villa winger Ahmed Elmohamady.
The Egypt international was dismissed for raising his hands in a confrontation with Saints defender Cedric Soares in stoppage time at the Emirates Stadium.
The midfielder joined from Swiss champions Basel in January 2016 and has since made 66 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals.
The Premier League side had already guaranteed top spot in Group H before the encounter
The Gunners netted three times in the space of 12 first-half minutes and, despite seeing their opponents pull one back before the hour, were able to comfortably see things through