MIKEL ARTETA’S rampant Gunners were at it again at Bramall Lane – with even Ben White getting in on the act.
There were alarming signs for Sheffield United from the first minutes as Bukayo Saka rattled the bar.
ReutersBen White grabbed his second goal of the season to round off the win[/caption]
APDeclan Rice swept home from a clever Bukayo Saka cutback[/caption]
GettyKai Havertz has now scored in three games on the bounce[/caption]
And the Blades did not hold out for much longer as Martin Odegaard tapped in from close range in the fifth minute.
Fast forward ten minutes and Arsenal were 3-0 ahead thanks to a Jayden Bogle own goal and a Gabriel Martinelli strike.
The Gunners have been rampant in recent weeks with Kai Havertz starting to show his best form – the German got on the scoresheet again before Declan Rice found the net from a clever Saka cutback.
Many Sheffield United fans had left the stadium after Martinelli’s strike, but there was to be more misery to come for those who stayed as White added a sixth just before the hour mark.
Fortunately for bottom of the table Blades there was to be no further punishment as Arsenal closed the gap at the top of the league to just two points.
Martin Odegaard ran the show and got on the scoresheet
Here is how SunSport’s Oscar Paul rated another away day to remember for the Gunners.
David Raya – 6
Could have been blindfolded with his arms tied behind his back and kept a clean sheet.
Made a brilliant first-half stop to deny Gustavo Hamer before the offside flag went up.
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Ben White – 8
Heavily involved down the right without making too many decisive inroads before a brilliant effort of his left peg to make it 6-0 and bring up Arsenal’s 10,000th goal in all competitions.
William Saliba – 7
Saliba and Gabriel were 25 yards away from Sheffield United’s goals at time, just trying to keep involved given there was no defending to do.
Gabriel – 7
With nothing better to do, Gabriel fought it out with his centre-back partner for the most touches in the game, with the Brazilian’s 146 well shy of Saliba’s 174 in the end.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
Solid yet unspectacular from the Pole, who was not given an opportunity to show his defensive capabilities at left-back.
Declan Rice – 8
Strolled around in third great but still bagged a goal and an assist in surely the easiest midfield ‘battle’ Rice has ever been involved in.
Jorginho – 7
The Gunners’ conductor will never have an easier symphony to orchestrate.
The Italian didn’t try anything fancy, keeping things simple in the engine room as Arsenal ran riot around him.
Martin Odegaard – 8
The skipper got Arsenal up and running with his sixth Prem goal of the campaign, sweeping home Declan Rice’s cross.
The Norwegian is unlikely to ever have more time and space to weave his magic, yet he didn’t disappoint with another classy outing.
Bukayo Saka – 7
The red-hot winger will be livid not to get on the scoresheet after six goals in his last five.
Hit the bar inside two minutes and saw his cross bundled home by Blades defender Jayden Bogle before being replaced at half-time.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
Had an early one saved before getting on in the act with Arsenal’s third via a deflection. It’s six for the season now, with the Brazilian buzzing around at will all night before he worryingly hobbled off just after the hour.
Kai Havertz – 8
“£60million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again”.
Bagged his sixth of the season with a bullet into the bottom corner to put Arsenal 4-0 up after just 25 minutes.
Havertz showed why Arsenal splashed out £60m for his services
APArsenal can go top of the Premier League by beating Brentford on Saturday[/caption]
GettyBukayo Saka produced two assists before being taken off at half-time[/caption]
Subs
Fabio Vieira (On for Saka, 45) – 6
Tidy in midfield as Arsenal went through the motions after the break.
Thomas Partey (On for Jorginho, 65) – 6
Seen for the first time since October following thigh surgery, some valuable minutes in the tank for the Ghanaian.
Gabriel Jesus (On for Martinelli, 65) – 6
Not scoring in 25 minutes against Sheffield United must be a career low.
Cedric Soares (On for White, 65) – 6
A fleeting reminder he’s still alive and kicking at Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard (On for Rice, 74) – 6
Could not inflict further misery on Sheffield United in the final 15 minutes.
Rice played an advanced role against the Blades
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