Jamie Carragher did not mince his words as he branded Sheffield United a ‘disgrace’ after conceding five goals in the first half of Monday’s defeat to Arsenal. The Gunners made their superiority count from the first whistle, with Mikel Arteta’s side wasting no time in racing into an unassailable lead.
Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for Arsenal after just five minutes before a Jayden Bogle own goal doubled their advantage, with the Blades defender helpless to prevent the ball from bouncing off him and into the back of the net. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice also struck before half-time to give Arsenal a huge lead at the break.
Carragher was on punditry duties for Sky Sports and delivered a brutal half-time assessment of Sheffield United’s performance, with the hosts shipping at least five goals at Bramall Lane for the third time in a row.
“I think it was a disgrace in terms of a half of football,” said Carragher. “It is one of the most one-sided games I’ve ever seen. You have to consider, they’re coming into this game off the back of losing two more games 5-0, conceding five against Brighton. That’s shocking, it really is.
“It probably is one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen. I can’t think of anything worse I’ve ever seen in a half of football.”
Carragher’s view was shared by Arsenal icon Alan Smith, who said on commentary: “This is ruthless, it’s brutal. I have rarely seen a match where a team has so many players behind the ball, but Arsenal are still able to knock the ball around with ease.
“It’s like a training game, this. You put the youth team in, try to break them down and just have fun with it. That’s what the Arsenal players are doing.”
Arsenal found a sixth goal shortly before the hour mark when Ben White struck from range to wrap up a comprehensive victory on away soil. The result left the north Londoners within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, with the two clubs separated by Manchester City in second place.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, sit rock bottom of the table after claiming just 13 points all season and will almost certainly be returning to the Championship at the end of the campaign. The Blades have lost 20 of their 27 matches with only three wins under their belt and their other four games resulting in draws.
