Arsenal player ratings vs Sheffield United: Martinelli scores on return

Arsenal beat Sheffield United 3-0 at Bramall Lane on Sunday in their Premier League meeting as goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli secured a comfortable win

With a crucial showdown with Slavia Prague to come in the Europa League on Thursday, and with the absences of Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Luiz and Kieran Tierney to contend with, Mikel Arteta made five changes from last time out.

In came Gabriel Martinelli into the starting lineup to explosive fanfare and he contributed in what was an impressive first half from Arsenal full of unorthodox system play.

Slipping into a back three with Granit Xhaka at left centre-back, Arsenal played with six men up front with Bukayo Saka in central areas interchanging with Alexandre Lacazette. There were combinations on both flanks as Arsenal got bodies in wide areas, playing some neat football with movement and energy galore.

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Arsenal player ratings vs Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday as Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli score in 3-0 win

The opening goal was of the highest order as Lacazette finished off a gorgeous passing move with the impressive Dani Ceballos flicking it into the Frenchman’s path, who coolly finished.

A second half that was far more subdued, Arsenal saw sloppiness enter into their game as Sheffield United pushed for a route back in.

Despite Saka being forced off with a thigh injury, the game was wrapped up with less than 20 minutes to play as some delightful work from Pepe ended with his shot being parried into the path of Martinelli, who had a simple tap-in.

From there it was about seeing the game out without expending needless energy, which is what Arsenal did, having added to the scoreline with a sublime Thomas Partey turn and pass finished expertly by Lacazette.

Arsenal Goalkeeper & Defenders Ratings

Bernd Leno (GK) – 7/10 – Simple enough game for the German who was only ever briefly asked questions, but they were more simple subtraction than long division.

Calum Chambers (RB) – 7/10 – Played so advanced he formed a trio with Saka and Pepe in the Sheffield United half that was as if there were three right-wingers on show. Made some fine runs beyond the full-back and whipped in a good few dangerous deliveries. Solid showing.

Rob Holding (CB) – 6/10 – Rob Holding’s passing remains a problem. He isn’t a good distributor of the ball and is the weakest of all the central defensive options, but he sweeps up effectively and works well under pressure.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 7/10 – Calm, composed, creative and expansive, it was a solid evening’s work for Pablo Mari on his return to the starting lineup. Arguably the most composed in possession of the options for the position – bar David Luiz – he showed that at Bramall Lane.

Granit Xhaka (LB) – 7/10 – Suited the left cente-back role where he was rarely put under severe pressure with Arsenal keeping possession well in advanced areas.

Not a position to play against stronger opposition but useful on this occasion. Always seems to play well there, though.