Arsenal player ratings vs Sheffield United: Martinelli scores on return

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Willian (R) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on April 11, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Rui Vieira / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Sheffield United’s Scottish striker Oliver Burke (L) vies with Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal Midfielders Ratings

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7/10 – Effectively played as a single pivot with Ceballos picking up areas out on the left flank, and did so with a composure that had been somewhat lacking in recent weeks. Wasn’t ever put under severe pressure, but acted as that defensive linchpin, bouncing the ball off him and kick starting moves forward.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – 8.5/10 – Excellent. Nobody wants to be criticising Dani Ceballos, but he doesn’t help himself. However, the Bramall Lane clash was evidently his one good showing out of five as he put in a superb display playing as an unorthodox left wing-back at times.

There was neat combination play with Martinelli down the left and, on this occasion, his 634 flicks and backheels came off. When he is in full flow he can be a joy to watch. The assist for the goal? Divine.

Bukayo Saka (AM) – 8/10 – Expected to come in and play left-back, Saka started and continued in the hole where his own energy contributed to Arsenal having fine ball retention. He won possession back on a number of occasions and used his speed of thought to great effect with some neat touches and aggressive darts into space.

Lively and boundless, he looked far better on Sunday than he had on the rare occasions he moved into the position earlier in the season when Arsenal were desperate. At Bramall Lane he made so many passes in the final third, keeping the Gunners ticking and maintaining the pace of attacks.

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