Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal: Gunners keep pace with leaders by thumping woeful Sheffield United

A rampant Arsenal kept their title push firmly on track by humiliating rock-bottom Sheffield United to once again close the gap to the Premier League summit courtesy of a thumping 6-0 win at Bramall Lane.

The Gunners were playing catch-up following weekend wins for rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, but any slim fears of a major shock were over inside 25 minutes as the visitors stormed into a four-goal lead.

Martin Odegaard set the ball rolling before a Jayden Bogle own goal was followed by strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.

Declan Rice then added a fifth four minutes before the break to ensure Arsenal equalled the record for the most goals scored by one team in the first half of a Premier League match.

Sheffield United had been abysmal, but did offer some resistance in the second half until Ben White got in on the act with a fizzing strike from the right side of the area just shy of the hour.

The result sees third-placed Arsenal move back to within two points of leaders Liverpool who meet second-placed Manchester City next weekend.

Arsenal will now aim to make it eight league wins on the bounce and move top – ahead of that Sunday clash between the Reds and the Blues – when they host Brentford on Saturday.

Sheffield United, who remain rooted to the foot of the table and 11 points adrift of safety, travel to Bournemouth.

This was another attacking masterclass from Mikel Arteta’s men as they made it a whopping 31 goals in what is now a seven-match winning streak in the league in 2024.

There were so many positives for Arsenal as they clocked up a fourth straight away victory in the PL and became the first English league side to win three consecutive away games by a margin of five or more goals.

Arteta and Co continue to ride the crest of their wave of momentum and their vastly superior goal difference could yet have a say as the tight, three-horse tussle for the title heads into what may well be a hugely significant period in March.

The Gunners skipper pulled the strings and was at the heart of most of the away side’s potent moves. The Norwegian netted the opener and is in prime form heading into the business end of the season.

SHEFF UTD: Grbic 6, Bogle 4, Ahmedhodzic 4, Trusty 4, Robinson 5, Norwood 4, Souza 5, Hamer 5, Davies 4, McBurnie 4, McAtee 4. Subs: Osborn 5, Baldock 5, Osula 5, Brooks 5, Arblaster 5.

ARSENAL: Raya 7, White 8, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Kiwior 8, Odegaard 9*, Jorginho 8, Rice 8, Saka 8, Havertz 8, Martinelli 8. Subs: Vieira 6, Partey 6, Jesus 6, Cedric 6, Trossard 6.

05’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-1 Arsenal: (Odegaard). The Gunners skipper easily taps in Rice’s cutback from the left.

13’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-2 Arsenal: (Bogle own goal). That’s a shocker. Saka easily darts past his man to the right byline and fires in a low cross that Bogle bundles into his own net.

15’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-3 Arsenal: (Martinelli). This is threatening to get embarrassing. Martinelli fires a deflected shot beyond Grbic after a lightning Arsenal break caught The Blades cold.

25’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-4 Arsenal: (Havertz). It’s too easy for the visitors. This time Havertz rampages on to Martinelli’s jab forward and sizzles a low shot into the far corner.

39’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-5 Arsenal: (Rice). A patient move ends with Saka cutting it back for Rice to steer home.

58’ – GOAL! – Sheff Utd 0-6 Arsenal: (White). It’s six of the best for The Gunners! This time White thunders in from the right side of the box from Havertz’s lay off.