WE’RE GUNNING FOR YOU
Arteta’s ruthless stars send powerful message to title rivals as they demolish sorry Blades
IT was such a mismatch that you could not help but feel sorry for Sheffield United.
Arsenal were ruthless, brilliant and in the mood to break records with another free-scoring victory – their seventh straight Premier League win – to send out a powerful statement in the title race.
But Blades boss Chris Wilder stood on the touchline looking horribly embarrassed as home fans had left in their thousands even before half-time.
Arsenal became the first English league side to win three consecutive away games by a margin of five or more goals. West Ham, Burnley and now Sheffield United, your boys have taken one hell of a beating.
Meanwhile, the Blades have now shipped five or more goals in their last four home games.
This was a shameful night for United and one which must leave Wilder (right) wondering why on earth he chose to return to Bramall Lane.
The Blades were shockingly bad and were left humiliated. Even more worryingly, the players had thrown in the towel.
They know they are going down and are resigned to their fate already. That is unacceptable and you have to wonder whether Wilder will quit before he gets sacked.
The Gunners are in a sweet spot and are playing brilliantly, but there is still no excuse for not chasing back, defending and giving up the ghost. The Blades players out there were not fit to wear the shirt.
Mikel Arteta’s men are just purring as Bukayo Saka tormented down the right, Gabriel Martinelli was razorsharp down the left, while Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were just fabulous.
If Liverpool and Manchester City had hoped they set the standard by winning at the
weekend, then this was some response by Arsenal. They are bang in the title race – and are loving every minute.
When Rice scored, he celebrated with the biggest smile and they are now playing with so much freedom and fun. Earlier in the season, Arsenal were methodical.
Now they are magic.
The floodgates opened early. And even before they scored, Saka had hit the bar and Martinelli had another cleared off the line. They did not have to wait much longer though. Rice’s low cross was turned in by Odegaard after just five minutes.
The second came after 13 minutes. Saka broke down the right, his low cross went through Blades keeper Ivo Grbic’s legs and Jayden Bogle put the ball into his own net.
Home fans began to leave at 2-0 down. And at least they were spared more misery.
Odegaard drove forward from midfield, Jakub Kiwior’s lay-off found Martinelli, and his shot was deflected in off Anel Ahmedhodzic to make it 3-0 after just 15 minutes.
Civil war then broke out. The home fans left in their droves. Wilder replaced Oliver Norwood with Ben Osborn, they switched to a five-man defence, and the remaining players held their own inquest inside the centre circle.
It did not get any better. Martinelli turned provider after 25 minutes as he set up Kai Havertz and his low shot flew into the bottom corner.
The goal rush had been so quick that the next felt like a long time coming.
In the 39th minute, Saka made the by-line, cut the ball back and there was Rice to sweep home into the far corner.
Arteta (right) took off Saka at half-time and brought on Fabio Vieira, and at last the home side got some respite.
But on 58 minutes, Ben White made it 6-0 with a fierce low shot after Havertz’s lay-off.
Arsenal have now scored 31 goals in their last seven games – and there is no sign of them stopping.
The only sour note for the Gunners was that Martinelli was carried off injured.