Report: Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal (inc goals)

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz

Subs: Ramsdale, Cedric, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah, Vieira, Jesus, Trossard

It was another dominant away performance from Arsenal as they put 6-0 past Sheffield United to keep pace with their title rivals, thanks to goals from Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Ben White and Jayden Bogle (og).

Mikel Arteta named an unchanged side from the side that beat Newcastle last week, with Thomas Partey finally returning to the bench after four months out through injury.

Arsenal were almost ahead within two minutes, when Saka broke free down the right side and crossed for Rice, only for the ball to ricochet back to the winger who cannoned a shot off the crossbar before Martinelli’s follow-up effort was blocked off the line.

It was a sign of things to come as less than a minute later, White found himself behind the Blades’ back four when his overlapping run wasn’t tracked and Havertz was inches away from converting his cross from close range.

However, from that same move, Martinelli recovered the ball and eventually found Rice making a clever run in behind whose cutback fell perfectly for Odegaard following in. 1-0.

It was already a rough start for Chris Wilder who started Auston Trusty at left back in hope of containing Saka, but he was tormenting the American defender and that mismatch led to the second after his low cross was deflected into his own net by Jayden Bogle. 2-0.

And just two minutes after the second it was three, when Martinelli rifled into the near post after nice interplay with Jakub Kiwior who advanced down the left – with a small deflection off defender Jack Robinson to finish a sweeping move. 3-0.

Arteta’s men didn’t stop there and goalkeeper Ivo Grbic was called into action again, first saving a rasping effort from Rice and then another strike from Havertz which bobbled into his midriff.

Havertz put the icing on 25 minutes of total dominance after Martinelli did well to rob Anel Ahmedhodzic, before running onto a loose ball and firing clinically past Grbić low into the bottom corner. 4-0.

Frustration was beginning to appear for the hosts and Bogle was fortunate to avoid seeing red after scything down Odegaard with a nasty, scissor challenge although VAR judged a yellow card to be sufficient.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Odegaard and Saka were untouchable throughout the first half and more magic play between the two created a fifth goal, with the Englishman cutting back for Rice who curled into the far corner. 5-0.

It was another clinical away display from the Gunners who were ruthless and full of intent from the first whistle, dispatching a Sheffield United side with clear defensive struggles – especially at home.

In what must have been a first during Arteta’s tenure, Saka was taken off at half time and replaced by Fabio Vieira who had the perfect opportunity to get minutes in his legs.

And the Portuguese midfielder didn’t take long to threaten, showing a great turn of pace to beat Andre Brooks and lift a perfect cross to Martinelli at the back post who couldn’t get the right connection on his strike.

Arsenal added a sixth before the hour mark when Havertz was found in-behind again by Jorginho, whose control and pass into White were brilliant, allowing him to step inside and fire a left-footed strike into the far corner. 6-0.

That was the sixth different scorer on the night (including the own goal) which showed yet again how dangerous this side can be across the board.

With the game won already, Arteta used that opportunity to get minutes into other players’ legs with Cedric, Partey and Gabriel Jesus all coming on for White, Jorginho and Martinelli who had to be carried off with an ankle problem.

There was a chance for Jesus to get on the scoresheet when he was played through by William Saliba, but the Brazilian looked for a cutback instead of shooting and the danger was eventually cleared.

Disappointment against Porto aside, this was Arsenal’s seventh Premier League win in a row, showing all the ingredients of a side who are clearly finding their groove heading into the run in.

Their trip to South Yorkshire saw more individual brilliance, valuable minutes for returning players and another six goals away from home.

Oh what fun it is to watch the Arsenal win away.