Premier League GW10 - Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd

Arsenal vs Sheff Utd | Picture Credits: Getty Images

Arsenal and Sheffield United met in the lively Emirates Stadium in a Premier League match that would quickly turn into a one-sided contest. It was clear as soon as the sides took the pitch that Arsenal was the favourite due to their strong recent play.

With the first half coming to an end, Arsenal had a number of encouraging moments. Foderingham turned away a strong attempt from Gabriel Martinelli to keep the narrow one-goal lead intact.

Half-Time - Arsenal 1-0 Sheffield United:

As the first half came to a close, Nketiah's goal put the teams apart. At first, Arsenal faced opposition from a disciplined Sheffield United team playing on the defensive. But perseverance paid off, as they dominated the second half and closed it out strongly. It was difficult for Sheffield United to involve their forwards.

Arsenal's Resilience and Dominance:

Arsenal came into this game fresh off of a standout performance in their previous Premier League game. They had rallied from a 2-0 deficit to hold Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling draw, preserving their perfect league record with six victories and three ties. This match presented a chance to close the difference with table-toppers Tottenham to just two points. Only a few days prior, Arsenal had defeated Sevilla 2-1 in the Champions League, which bolstered their confidence.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, was stuck at the bottom of the Premier League standings. The Blades had lost their last eight league games and had only managed one point from a draw with Everton. They were desperate to turn things around and were still searching for their first victory in any competition this season. Regretfully, they have only managed to score two goals in their previous five games while giving up 17 goals.

Starting Lineups:

Arsenal (4-3-3):

• Goalkeeper: David Raya
  

• Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko
  

• Midfielders: Emile Smith Rowe, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz
  

• Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli
  

Substitutes: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Jorginho, Elneny, Vieira, Odegaard, Nelson, Trossard

Sheffield United (4-5-1):

• Goalkeeper: Wes Foderingham
  

• Defenders: Jayden Bogle, Auston Trusty, Jack Robinson, Luke Thomas
  

• Midfielders: James McAtee, Oliver Norwood, Anis Ben Slimane, Vinicius Souza, Gustavo Hamer
  

• Forward: Rhian Brewster
  

Substitutes: Ryan One, Benie Traore, Andre Brooks, Cameron Archer, Yasser Larouci, George Baldock, Ben Osborn, Adam Davies, John Fleck

First Half - Nketiah Breaks the Deadlock:

Gustavo Hamer's kickoff for Sheffield United in the first minute of play signalled the start of an exciting game.

Eddie Nketiah scored the first goal in the 28th minute, but Arsenal's offensive efforts took some time to pay off. After a neat move featuring White, Havertz, and Saka, Declan Rice sent in a low cross that was precisely placed for Nketiah. Nketiah calmly rounded Auston Trusty and slotted the ball beyond custodian Wes Foderingham. The score was 1-0 in favour of Arsenal.

Emiirates Stadium | Picture Credits: Arsenal's Website

Eddie's first goal | Picture Credits: Arsenal's Website

With numerous chances for Arsenal to score goals, the assault persisted. Bukayo Saka and Trossard linked well down the left, setting up a chance from Tomiyasu in the 76th minute that just missed the mark.

Arsenal had not finished. A contentious challenge on Vieira by Norwood in the 85th minute sparked a VAR review. Arsenal was given a penalty kick by the referee. With poise, Vieira took a step up and tucked it down the middle to give Arsenal a 4-0 lead.

In the last few minutes of stoppage time, Tomiyasu of Arsenal took advantage of confusion inside Sheffield United's area after a corner. With an accurate volley into the net, Tomiyasu scored the game's fifth and final goal.

Second Half - Nketiah's Hat-Trick and Arsenal's Showcase:

Arsenal launched a counterattack in the second half. Nketiah scored his second goal of the match after just five minutes. Saka's corner forced Foderingham to extend awkwardly, and Foderingham was unable to clear the ball well. Nketiah took advantage of the situation and hit the loose ball into the upper right corner. Although Sheffield United disputed the goal, claiming the custodian had interfered, a VAR assessment proved the goal's validity. Arsenal had a commanding 2-0 lead.

Eddie Nketiah completed his incredible hat-trick in the 58th minute. Emile Smith Rowe was the recipient of a pinpoint pass from Martinelli, who lay it off for Nketiah. Nketiah skillfully struck a strong shot from the edge of the D that found the upper corner of the net. Arsenal's lead was increased to 3-0.

Hattrick Hero | Picture Credits: Arsenal's Website

Full-Time - Arsenal 5-0 Sheffield United:

Arsenal played a dominant game, and Nketiah's hat-trick was the main reason for their triumph. What had begun as a close match turned into an Arsenal exhibition of their offensive ability. Vieira's penalty and Nketiah's scores summed up Arsenal's supremacy. Arsenal now sits two points behind league leaders Tottenham after their victory. Arsenal's next match is a midweek EFL Cup match against West Ham. Sheffield United is currently at the bottom of the Premier League standings and is the only team without a victory. Their next match will be against Wolves. An unforgettable match took place at the Emirates Stadium, highlighting Arsenal's tenacity and attacking prowess.

To sum up, this game captured the spirit of Premier League football by showcasing both Arsenal's enormous potential and Sheffield United's difficulties.

Tomiyasu's first ever goal for Arsenal | Picture Credits: Arsenal's Website