Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal became the first Premier League side to win three consecutive away games by five or more goals as they thrashed a poor Sheffield United side 0-6 at Bramall Lane
The Arsenal boss opted to unsurprisingly name an unchanged side from the Gunners last outing in their 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium. Kai Havertz remained upfront, with Jorginho also keeping his place in the middle. There was some good news to be found on the bench, as Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey featured back in a Premier League matchday squad.
Arsenal came flying out of the blocks in Yorkshire, and somehow weren’t ahead within two minutes as Bukayo Saka hit the bar from close range, and Gabriel Martinelli’s superbly improvised effort on the rebound cleared off the line by a Blades defender. However, the deadlock would still be broken very early on as two minutes later, Declan Rice drove into the box and squared the ball across to Martin Odegaard to stroke home. It may have come only four minutes in, but it already felt like Arsenal could have scored two or three.
But more goals would soon come as a brilliant run down the right flank from Saka saw him breeze past ex-gunner Auston Trusty and smash the ball across the face of the penalty area and the ball was turned in to his own net by Jayden Bogle to double Arsenal’s lead. And two very quickly became three when a deflected effort from Gabriel Martinelli found the back of the net. The three-goal onslaught saw some Blades fans leave the stadium after just fifteen minutes and Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder made a substitution in an attempt of damage limitation.
Despite his efforts, Mikel Arteta’s side showed little mercy, and they got their fourth when Havertz smashed the ball low and hard into the far bottom corner after good work from Martinelli to help win back possession. But they still weren’t done there as a fantastic passing move saw Saka find Rice to tap home for 0-5 to bring a quite incredible first half to an end.
The scoreline allowed Arteta to bring Saka off at the inverval with Fabio Vieira entering the pitch for the Gunners for the first time since the turn of the year. It was clear that the intensity had dropped but they still managed to get a sixth goal when some great control from Havertz saw the German find Ben White who struck a great effort into the bottom corner with his left foot. THe goal was significant as it was Arsenal’s 10,000th official goal in all competitions.
Thomas Partey also came on for his first appearance since October, as did Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal look to soon have a fully fit squad for the first time this season, there were no more goals at Bramall Lane as Arsenal ran out 0-6 winners in what was another dominant demolition job from Mikel Arteta’s team.
Their next encounter comes back at Emirates Stadium as struggling Brentford visit N5.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7 – As Alan Smith said on commentary “David Seaman could’ve played in goal”, had nothing to do but distribution was solid
Ben White: 9 – Brilliant all night and scored a great goal
William Saliba: 7 – Was barely tested but was always calm in possession
Gabriel: 7 – Same as Saliba
Jakub Kiwior: 7 – Got forward well including another assist
Jorginho: 8 – Classic Jorginho, never gave the ball away and played a great ball to Havertz for White’s goal
Declan Rice: 9 – Was absolutely everywhere and got another goal and assist to his name
Martin Odegaard: 9 – Just an absolute magician, added another goal to his tally
Bukayo Saka: 8 – No goal but terrorised the Blades defence in the first half
Kai Havertz: 9 – Led the line superbly and took his goal brilliantly. Also got another assist
Gabriel Martinelli: 8 – Came off in pain but was great before that and got a much needed goal