Arsenal: 3 talking points from comfortable Sheffield United win

Without a win in four games, Arsenal travelled to Bramall Lane hoping to discover some confidence before their huge Europa League clash against Slavia Prague in midweek.

Several injuries and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s illness meant Mikel Arteta was forced to name a very unorthodox starting eleven. Granit Xhaka made a surprise start at left-back, and in the absence of both Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka was deployed in the No.10 role behind Alexandre Lacazette.

Saka had an early opportunity to give Arsenal the lead. He was fed nicely by fellow phenom Gabriel Martinelli, but blazed over. Saka was also central to the Gunners’ next opening with neat play from Nicolas Pépé allowing him to carry dangerously down the right, but Ethan Ampadu dealt with his cross.

David McGoldrick, who scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season, nearly got himself on the scoresheet once again. Thankfully for Bernd Leno, he fired his snapshot wide.

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Arsenal: 3 talking points from comfortable Sheffield United win as Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli net in 3-0 success

While Arsenal hardly set the world alight in the opening 25 minutes, they were certainly the better side. Martinelli nearly marked his return to the team with a goal. After darting inside, his effort took a deflection on its way through to the grateful arms of Aaron Ramsdale – the Brazilian then went to his left foot to play a teasing cross across goal, but no blue shirt could meet it.

Nonetheless, Arsenal soon took a deserved – and brilliant – lead. After some incisive one-touch passing around the penalty area, Dani Ceballos flicked the ball beautifully into the path of Lacazette, who finished instinctively. It was straight from the Arsène Wenger textbook.

They could have doubled their advantage before half-time. A corner fell kindly to Martinelli, but a couple of Sheffield United defenders threw themselves in front of his effort.

Martinelli would get his goal after the break. Nicolas Pépé was the beneficiary of a loose pass, and Ramsdale gave the Brazilian the easiest goal of his young career.

Lacazette put the cherry on the cake with five minutes to go. Thomas Partey turned majestically in the middle of the park and played an exquisite pass through to the Frenchman, who made no mistake.

Unorthodox Yet Effective

When the teams were announced, many expected Bukayo Saka to play behind Gabriel Martinelli on the left-wing. However, it became apparent immediately from the kick-off that Mikel Arteta had done something different.

Despite the unexpected personnel decisions, Arsenal’s play was fluid throughout. Dani Ceballos often found himself hugging the touchline in possession, with Thomas Partey the single conductor in midfield. Martinelli was willing to threaten the space behind the Sheffield defence, and Lacazette often dropped deep and enjoyed one of his best performances in some time.

While it is unlikely that this shape sticks long-term, it was undeniably effective this evening. Admittedly, Sheffield United made it very easy for them, but there was a real swagger to Arsenal’s play.

Is There Anything Bukayo Saka Cannot Do?

Bukayo Saka has been one of the few bright spots for Arsenal this season, and at Bramall Lane, he showed once again why he should be the club’s unanimous player of the season.

He seemed to relish the freedom of the No.10 role, his intelligence clear for all to see. He dropped deep, drifted wide, ran beyond the striker; it was a truly masterful performance.

Before his unfortunate departure, there were clever touches, sharp turns, and defensive pressures. Furthermore, he linked beautifully with Lacazette, Pépé and Partey.

While he did not feature in the last international break, it would be a crime for Gareth Southgate to leave the versatile and dynamic Saka out of his European Championships squad.

Should Gabriel Martinelli Keep His Place?

On a rare positive night for Arsenal, it seems wrong to seek controversy. Nonetheless, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s place in the team is under threat.

Fans have been calling for Martinelli to get more minutes for some time. Again, Sheffield United were poor, but the Brazilian has given his manager something to think about.

Besides getting on the scoresheet, he was lively throughout. His defensive effort was excellent, he varied his forward runs and showed a willingness to use both feet. Aubameyang has serious competition.

Despite this comfortable win, Arsenal know that the biggest game of the season awaits them on Thursday. Failure to get the result they need against Slavia Prague will lead to outrage, and would likely make 2021/22 the club’s first season without European football since 1992/93.