Arsenal 5-0 Sheffield United: Eddie Nketiah nets his first Premier League hat-trick as the Gunners cut the gap to Tottenham to two points – with Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu also scoring
- Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at the Emirates to return to winning ways
- Nketiah scored a hat-trick, with Vieira and Tomiyasu also netting in the thrashing
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On 58 minutes, the chant ‘Eddie, Eddie, Eddie’ had quickly reverberated around the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus, in the stands following an injury picked up against Sevilla on Tuesday, rose to his feet, in sync with the crowd.
Once the ball had left Eddie Nketiah’s foot from outside the area, the goal’s top left corner was beckoning. Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham knew so, too.
The goal capped off a hat-trick in a complete striker’s performance on a rare starting opportunity for Nketiah, who looked to the heavens and lifted the ball with one hand in celebration.
The 24-year-old has now scored four league goals in 10 appearances in this campaign. For Mikel Arteta, the signs are promising with forward depth an area that has been questioned amid links to Ivan Toney for January.
Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at the Emirates as they returned to winning ways
Eddie Nketiah was the hero for the Gunners as he scored his first Premier League hat-trick
Fabio Vieira made it 4-0 late on as he cooly slotted home a penalty for his first of the season
Takehiro Tomiyasu scored deep into injury time to make it five and cap a fine performance
The technique and confidence, particularly in the first and third goals, show Nketiah can play an important part in the squad this season.
Sheffield United were abject and are the only team in the league yet to pick up a win this season. On the evidence of this afternoon, one could see why.
They had retreated from the first minute, banking on fortunate breaks forward. After the first goal arrived, that strategy quickly turned to damage limitation.
An area which will again be on the mind of Arteta, though, is Kai Havertz, who gave the ball away on occasions, particularly in the first half.
It’s easily forgettable against a side like the Blades, but not when presented with superior opposition. The home fans made their thoughts clear, the groans audible.
MATCH FACTS
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya 6; White 7.5 (Tomiyasu 66, 7), Saliba 7, Kiwior 6.5, Zinchenko 6.5; Smith Rowe 6 (Vieira 73, 7), Rice 8 (Elneny 89), Havertz 5; Saka 7 (Nelson 6.5, 73), Nketiah 8.5, Martinelli 7 (Trossard 66, 7).
Goals: Nketiah 28, 50, 58, Vieira 88, Tomiyasu 90+6
Booked: None.
Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.5
SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-5-1): Foderingham 5; Bogle 5.5 (Baldock 71, 5.5), Trusty 5.5, Robinson 5.5, Thomas 5.5; McAtee 5.5 (Fleck 71, 5.5), Norwood 5, Ben Slimane 5.5 (Osborn 59, 5.5), Souza 5.5, Hamer 5.5 (One 83); Brewster 5.5 (Archer 59, 5.5).
Goals: NONE
Booked: Osborn, Bogle, Norwood.
Referee: Tim Robinson 6.
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom 5.5.
Arteta made five changes from the 2-1 midweek victory of Sevilla, the dropping of captain Martin Odegaard taking most by surprise.
By now, it’s universally accepted that the Arsenal line-up week-to-week is a lottery. No player, aside from William Saliba, is a guaranteed starter. But dropping the captain, who signed a five-year deal just last month?
That’s ballsy, and a reflection of the cut-throat environment Arteta has created.
For United, one of only two sides in the league yet to pick up a win, they had not succeeded at the Emirates since August 1971.
As expected the home side immediately took control of possession, the opposition left to retreat and bank off scant opportunities forward.
It was a dominant display from the Gunners, who closed the gap on Tottenham to two points
Nketiah’s return to form is huge for Arsenal after Gabriel Jesus picked up a hamstring injury
Jakub Kiwior was handed a rare start by Mikel Arteta and the defender put in a solid display
Emile Smith Rowe, making his first league start this season, received one of the biggest roars of the first half after a retreating tackle and pass on 10 minutes. He is much-loved around these parts and surely knows that the left-sided in central midfield is up for grabs, Havertz yet to put forward a sweeping case otherwise.
The opener arrived after 28 minutes, Rice shaping his body towards Ben White on the right wing before pivoting to play the ball into Nketiah in the box. He turned ex-colleague Auston Trusty, slotting past Foderingham. A composed finish, born from a sublime delivery.
Gabriel Martinelli nearly had a goal by the halfway mark, rolling the ball from his right foot to left, his shot parried away.
That was after providing for Bukayo Saka on 20 minutes by shimmying two defenders, his team-mate unable to get his feet right in the box.
Nketiah picked up where he left off from the restart, scoring his second. Saka’s corner floated to Foderingham. He flapped at it an awful fashion, the ball falling to the striker. He lashed it high into the goal, the VAR check passed on whether Ben White impeded the keeper.
The England man knew from there a greater opportunity for a hat-trick may not present itself in this campaign.
That proved true, with a sublime strike after 58 minutes. By this point United’s confidence was on the floor.
The outlook is bleak for Sheffield United, who still remain winless and have just one point
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta was able to rest Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Maghalaes for the game
White had a crack from distance saved and substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is becoming a hero in North London, his spirited performances when called on appreciated, dragged a strike wide.
That was before lashing in a top-corner volley in the dying minutes.
Before the end, substitute Fabio Vieira got on the scoresheet, too, after being awarded a penalty via a VAR check having been felled by Oliver Norwood.
He coolly converted the penalty. A smooth day’s work for the Gunners, in the face of a meek Blades display.
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