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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.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1381332436605415428
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.
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.
Arsenal Forwards Ratings
Nicolas Pepe (RW) – 7/10 – A mixed bag for Nicolas Pepe.
There was link-up play with Saka on the right hand side that was excellent at times yet on other occasions it looked like he had two right feet. A few slaloming moves through bodies and some bizarre ball control. In a defensive sense his work went under the radar, winning a high number of duels and retrieving possession with endeavour down the right.
Seeming to fade off from the game he kept plugging away and neat work for the second goal sees his score raised up.
Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 8.5/10 – Excellent night from the Frenchman who was adoring the system that the side implemented on the night, picking up No. 10 positions alongside Saka with the two interchanging throughout. His goal was expertly taken and the flick to Saka in the build up equally so.
Put in a shift defensively as well, winning back possession and keeping Arsenal on the front foot.
Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 8/10 – Does not stop. Ever. His enthusiasm without the ball is remarkable and even if he’s having a poor afternoon that energy causes events across the pitch. It ensures something can happen even when nothing is going on in that area of the pitch.
Furthermore, it’s infectious. His direct style was a threat throughout even if he was less involved than those on the opposite side, and then in the second half he got the goal his boundless energy deserved.
Arsenal Substitutes Ratings
Willian – 5/10 – Blocking his side’s own defensive clearance late on comes close to summing up his time at Arsenal. Was quite negative on the ball but it was obviously felt that the game was wrapped up and no risks needed taking. Didn’t do much wrong.
Mohamed Elneny – N/A – Barely featured having come on so no rating provided.
Eddie Nketiah – N/A – His first Premier League minutes since the 0-0 draw with Manchester United.