Arsenal Player Ratings: Eddie Nketiah hits hat-trick as Arsenal thrash Sheffield Utd at the Emirates

Nketiah's excellent hat-trick inspired Arsenal to a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United as Mikel Arteta's side moved back within two points of the Premier League summit.

Fabio Vieira also added a late penalty, while Takehiro Tomiyasu added a fifth goal, six minutes into the ten addtional minutes at the end of the game. 

Find out who impressed with our Gooner Fanzine Player Ratings 

David Raya: 7/10 - Thankfully the Brentford loanee looks more comfortable with every passing game, displaying safe handling and effective distribution. But then again we are talking about playing against Sheffield United, a team that has lost ten out its ten Premier League matches this term already, and are surely destined for relegation. Still, a clean sheet is always welcome

RB: Ben White - 7/10 - Earned a hearty ovation after being replaced on the hour mark after featuring in every single Arsenal match this term so far

CB: William Saliba - 7/10 - A class act as always. Never looks hurried, never looks threatened - and certainly didn't against such a limited attack 

CB: Jakub Kiwior - 7/10 -  A clean sheet for the Polish defender who stepped into the backline while Gabriel had a rest on the bench.

LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - 7.5/10 - A free role allowed ESR more scope to drift out wide to cut in

DM: Declan Rice - 8.5/10 - Another outstanding performance, offensively and defensively, while also notcnin as assist for Nketiah's opening goal - what a magificent player Rice is turning out to be

CM: Kai Havertz - 6/10 - Not as influential as he would have liked - but really didn't need to be against such limited opposition 

CM: Emile Smith Rowe - 7.5/10 - Handed a first Premier League start since the 2-0 loss to Newcastle at St James' Park in May 2022 and grew into the game. Good to note an assist for Nketiah's third

Bukayo Saka: 8/10 - A nice touch by Saka to hand the captain's armband to hattrick hero Eddie Nketiah after the former was replaced by Reiss Nelson with 15 minutes remaining as the crowd warmly acknowledged their efforts

Gabi Martinelli: 7.5/10 - Always lively, always threatening. Nearly scored a cracking first half goal but Blades keeper Wes Foederingham managed to palm away the Brazilian's fierce near post strike

Eddie Nketiah: 9/10 - A wonderfully timed hattrick in Gabriel Jesus' absence for the 24-year-old Lambeth-born forward, who showcased his goalscoring abilities to delighted boss Mikel Arteta and happy supporters at the Emirates. The striker was everywhere, even heading the ball away during defensive duties along the Gunners backline during the rare occasions the Blades attacked. Yet, of course, it was his striking abilities that matter - and how he reminded the watching world that he could still save Arsenal £60m in January on Ivan Toney - if he keeps scoring. Not a bad way to end a memorable month following his first England cap earlier in October.

Substitutes

SUB: Takehiro Tomiyasu (65' for White) - 8/10 - Has looked impressed once again recently and deserved his late goal to make it 5-0

SUB: Leandro Trossard (65' for Martinelli) - 7/10 - 

SUB: Fabio Vieira (72' for Smith Rowe) - 8/10 - Grabbed an assist after slotting home hjis late penalty with aplomb. Growing into surroundings after a challenging first season

SUB: Reiss Nelson (72' for Saka) - 7/10

Subs not used: Ramsdale (GK), Gabriel, Elneny, Odegaard, Jorginho