Arsenal laid down another marker in the title race with a comfortable 6-0 victory over Sheffield United on Monday night. The Gunners ran riot at Bramall Lane, with Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jayden Bogle (OG), Kai Havertz and Declan Rice all getting on the scoresheet for Mikel Arteta’s side before the half-time whistle had even sounded. Ben White then got in on the act in the second half to put the icing on the cake. Express Sport takes a look at five talking points from the match…
Shocking Sheffield United
Chris Wilder’s side were absolutely embarrassed by Arsenal on Monday night. The phrase ‘men against boys’ sprung to mind from the get-go, with Bukayo Saka striking the crossbar after just under two minutes after dancing his way into the penalty area.
The Blades failed to cope with the pace and power of the Gunners’ attack, being penned into their penalty area from start to finish with no escape route. They didn’t manage a single shot on target and completed just 212 passes to Arsenal’s 892.
Arsenal put Man Utd to shame
Arsenal’s obliteration of Sheffield United allowed the club to pile further misery on rivals Manchester United. The Gunners have now scored as many away goals in their last four Premier League games (18) as the Red Devils have managed during the entire campaign.
Arteta’s side are putting teams to the sword with relative ease, becoming the first English top-flight side to win three consecutive away matches by five goals or more. Next up away from home? Title rivals Manchester City.
Declan Rice breaking the mould
Many assumed that Rice was being signed from West Ham in the summer to be Arsenal’s long-term holding midfielder as part of a midfield three. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth at present. The England international is showcasing that there is so much more to his game.
He is regularly influencing play in the final third with both goals and assists. He’s up to five goals and five assists in the Premier League now this season. Rice looks like he could be a title-winning signing for the Gunners, and he could unironically end up being a bargain despite his £105million price tag.
Arsenal fans rub salt into Blades’ wounds
With their side 3-0 up after just 15 minutes, Arsenal supporters were in full voice at Bramall Lane, knowing that they were home and hosed without their side breaking a sweat.
Chants of “Who put the ball in the Sheffield net? Half the f***ing team did” and “We’re gonna score in a minute!” were heard throughout the first half, and, although sung in jest, those chants were not too far away from being accurate.
