Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal: 

Arsenal routed sorry Sheffield United at a rain sodden Bramall Lane on Monday evening to further underline their title credentials.

The Gunners became just the second side in top flight history to score 5+ goals in three successive away league games, to make it seven wins on the bounce in this division, since their winter break, with a goal difference of 31 scored, and a mere three conceded. 

The only worry from another impressive away victory was the sight of Gabi Martinelli hobbling off midway through the second half - as Mikel Arteta's imperious Gunners thrashed the Blades to move two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, and to within a point of second place Manchester City.

With the pair of giants from the north-west set to face each other this coming weekend, Arsenal revelled in their position as title chasers - rather than the pacemakers they were for 258 days last term - as they started strongly against Chris Wilder's relegation-doomed United.

Bukayo Saka thudded the woodwork in the opening moments, prior to the lively Martinelli's effort being cleared off the line as the title chasing visitors from North London made their intentions clear from the start.

Captain Martin Odegaard made it 1-0 after only five minutes when slotting home from Jakub Kiwior, after the Gunners dominated the opening stages.

The lead was soon doubled through an own goal from Jayden Bogle after intense Gunners pressure on 13 minutes. 2-0 became 3-0 a mere 120 seconds later when Martinelli fired past the increasingly beleaguered Ivo Grbic in the Blades goal.

This prompted a number of long-suffering Blades fans to walk out at the relentless indignity wrought by the Gunners, busy adding another miserable chapter to this proud club's disastrous Premier League season so far.

Kai Havertz made it 4-0 after only 25 minutes, prior to Declan Rice scoring to make it an astonishing 5-0 after only 39 minutes, aided by Saka's assist, following good work from Odegaard in the build-up.

As referee Sam Barrott's half time whistle went, boos rang around from the shellshocked home support inside Bramall Lane.

You couldn't blame them after such a dispiriting opening 45 minutes. Indeed, anyone but United's bitter neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, could surely take no joy from such the Blades' abject humiliation.

However, the fact remained Arsenal were simply superb.

Full of pace, power, verve, creativity – not to mention stunning movement on and off the ball, which, allied, with a fierce desire to attack, to find space, to exploit United’s all-too-evident weaknesses that saw boss Wilder change to a back five at 3-0 down, ensured the sorry Blades were left shellshocked after a juddering first half.

Yet, there was worse to come after the break, when Ben White shot through a crowded box to make it 6-0 on 58 minutes.

Arsenal's only worry of the evening came when Martinelli hobbled off to be replaced by compatriot Gabriel Jesus.

The sight of the 22-year-old Brazil attacker in agony and unable to place any weight or pressure on his right foot will be a real concern for the Gunners.

While it will be no mitigation if Martinelli misses future matches, Gunners fans packed in the away end were pleased to see the return of Thomas Partey, who replaced the quietly effective Jorginho with 25 minutes remaining.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “A great night – it’s a really difficult place to come but the way we started the game obviously made the difference. 

“We were really aggressive, really positive and we showed real quality, especially in the final third to take the game into a position where it was in a big favour for us and then we maintained it. 

“We maintained the rhythm, the hunger and I love that about the team.”

There will be plenty more for Arsenal supporters to love if they beat Brentford on Saturday to move to the top of the Premier League – ahead of the blockbuster clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield this Sunday.

Have to say it doesn’t look good for the injured Gabi Martinelli as he is helped off the pitch here at Bramall Lane unable to put any weight or pressure on his right foot. Martinelli is replaced by Gabriel Jesus who checks on his Brazil teammate before the swap pic.twitter.com/7HxQHKJjtd

— Layth (@laythy29) March 4, 2024