Arsenal 5-0 Sheffield United LIVE REACTION: Eddie Nketiah hits stunning hat-trick as Gunners thrash Blades
EDDIE NKETIAH hit a sensational hat-trick as Arsenal battered Sheffield United in their Premier League clash.
Mikel Arteta rang the changes for the match, including benching captain Martin Odegaard and starting Emile Smith Rowe.
Subs Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu added to the goals as the Gunners ran riot.
- Result: Arsenal 5 Sheffield United 0
- Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Smith Rowe, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
- Sheffield Utd: Foderingham Bogle, Trusty, Robinson, Thomas; Norwood, Slimane, Souza; McAfee, Hamer; Brewster
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Gunners continue unbeaten start to campaign
Arsenal remain unbeaten this season as they put Sheff Utd to the sword today.
It took a while to break down Sheff Utd but once they did, there seemed no way back for the visitors.
They move to second in the table, closing the gap on North London rivals Tottenham.
The performances of Rice and Nketiah, in particular, were a joy to behold.
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Sheff Utd
With no Martin Odegaard or Gabriel Jesus, it was time for Declan Rice to step up today and boy did he deliver.
He controlled the centre of midfield, breaking up play and winning the ball back for Arsenal.
Without his skipper alongside him, he even took the mantle of coming forward more and trying to get his side on the attack.
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Sheff Utd
Eddie Nketiah stepped up to the plate for his side today.
With Gabriel Jesus out injured, it was his turn to lead the line.
Scoring his first hat trick for the club, the English striker was the man of the moment for The Gunners.
Credit: Getty
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Sheff Utd
It is a dominant win from The Gunners, nothing more than they deserved.
While it took some time to break down the visitors, their second half performance was a joy to behold.
Mikel Arteta looks a very pleased man on that touchline now.
FT: Arsenal 5-0 Sheff Utd
It is a massive win for The Gunners.
Sheff Utd will want to forget this one as they suffer another heavy defeat.
Meanwhile, Arsenal cut the gap to neighbours Tottenham to just two points.
Arsenal 5-0 Sheff Utd
90+8. Huge cheers from the home fans as Tomiyasu gets his first Arsenal goal on his fiftieth appearance.
VAR is having a look at this one.
Check complete, the goal will stand.
Tomiyasu poked home as the corner was not cleared.
Goal - Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)
Arsenal 4-0 Sheff Utd
90+6. Havertz wins the ball and pokes it through to Nketiah.
As he looks to get a shot off in the box it is blocked by the Sheff Utd defender.
Corner to Arsenal, chance to apply more pressure.
Arsenal 4-0 Sheff Utd
90+4. It will be important for the manager that they keep a clean sheet now.
With the game already won, there is no need to let their guard down.
Elneny is on for Arsenal and looking to get involved straight away.
Arsenal 4-0 Sheff Utd
90+2. Baldock comes forward for Sheff Utd and is blocked off by Zinchenko.
Chance for the visitors to make Raya do some work in the Arsenal goal.
It is whipped into the back post but no one can get a telling touch.
Arsenal 4-0 Sheff Utd
90. We are going to have ten additional minutes.
That must feel like salt in the wound for the visitors.
The Blades come forward, trying to find some consolation.
Arsenal 4-0 Sheff Utd
88. Nketiah opts to not take the spot kick.
Viera, the man who won it, steps up and calmly slots home.
He sent the keeper the wrong way with ease.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Goal - Fabio Viera (Arsenal)
Penalty to Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
86. The referee has been told to go to the monitor.
This can usually mean only one thing.
Arsenal's fans wait in anticipation.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
84. Viera is down in the box rolling around.
The referee did not feel it was enough contact for a penalty.
VAR is checking this one.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
82. Arteta will be pleased that he has been able to do without some key players today but still get the job done.
David Raya has had one the quietest games of his Arsenal career.
Sheff Utd have barely laid a glove on their opponents.
Credit: AFP Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
80. Nketiah makes a run into the box and is found by Trossard.
He takes one touch and is bundled to the floor.
The referee is not interested and awards a goal kick.
VAR checks it and agrees with the onfield decision.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
78. The Blades are passing the ball around trying to prevent any further goals.
Rice wins it back and strides towards the box but is dispossessed.
Sheff Utd cannot hold onto the ball and The Gunners win it back.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
76. Trossard does brilliantly down the left wing.
Turning Osborne one way and then the other before crossing into the box.
Havertz cannot win the header but the ball drops to Tomiyasu on the volley but his effort goes wide of the post.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
74. Sheff Utd would take the final whistle right now.
Arsenal are coming forward in wave after wave of attack.
Heckingbottom must be worried about his position right now.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
72. Arteta will look to rotate his squad now and rest others.
No need to risk the likes of Odegaard with this game won.
Nelson comes on for Saka.
Credit: PA Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
70. Foderingham manages to palm another corner clear.
Arsenal are getting a lot of bodies on the line, making it difficult for him to get anywhere near the ball.
Bogle is replaced by Fleck for the visitors.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
68. Sheff Utd have now conceded 27 goals this season.
Their chances of staying in the Premier League look grim based on those stats.
No team can ship that many goals and expect to win games.
Arsenal 3-0 Sheff Utd
66. Tomiyasu is on for Arsenal.
He had a good game against Sevilla in midweek.
Arsenal come forward once again with Saka who finds the other substitute Trossard but Sheff Utd scramble clear.
