“He is at the same level with Bellingham” – the Gunners Legend said there was no difference between Bellingham and a crucial player who contributed to a five-star performance against Sheffield United.
“He is at the same level with Bellingham” – the Gunners Legend said there was no difference between Bellingham and a crucial player who contributed to a five-star performance against Sheffield United.
Arsenal drew within two points of Premier League leaders Tottenham after a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s team didn’t quite hit top gear at the Emirates, but they still won comfortably against the Premier League’s worst club. Eddie Nketiah scored a stunning hat-trick just days after teammate striker Gabriel Jesus was injured against Sevilla.
Fabio Vieira came off the bench to convert a penalty, and Takehiro Tomiyasu added the finishing touch.
Arsenal will now attempt to win the Carabao Cup against West Ham on Wednesday, while the Blades will look to get their first Premier League win of the season against Wolves at home next Saturday. Here are the primary Emirates talking points…
Arteta’s risk
On Saturday, Arteta took a significant gamble by benching Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Magalhaes, and captain Martin Odegaard. Emile Smith Rowe made his first Premier League start since May 2022, while Bukayo Saka took the captaincy.
With Arsenal also participating in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, Arteta clearly saw this game as an opportunity to rotate his players. United are now bottom of the Premier League and are heavy favorites to relegate to the Championship.
However, resting players in English football’s top division is always a risk. Around 25 minutes into the game, Arsenal fans began to worry that Arteta had made a mistake, with the Blades looking assured on the ball. The Gunners needed to seize command.
And that is just what they did. Declan Rice picked up the ball down the middle, some 30 yards away, and surprised United’s defense by playing a ball into the box. Nketiah handled the delivery before finishing from eight yards out.
It was the game’s first truly memorable moment. The next came in the 41st minute, when goalkeeper Wes Foderingham pushed Gabriel Martinelli’s left-footed shot around the post. Arsenal led at the halftime break, but they weren’t at their best.
Halloween arrived early for the Blades and Foderingham in the second half. The goalkeeper should have easily gathered a corner, but he flapped at the ball as Ben White stayed firm. The loose ball was then blasted home by Nketiah.
The goal was reviewed by VAR, but there was no foul. Simply put, Foderingham was too frail. Nketiah, now full of confidence, finished his hat-trick in style, turning on the edge of the box and smashing an attempt into the top corner.
Halloween arrived early for the Blades and Foderingham in the second half. The goalkeeper should have easily gathered a corner, but he flapped at the ball as Ben White stayed firm. The loose ball was then blasted home by Nketiah.
The goal was reviewed by VAR, but there was no foul. Simply put, Foderingham was too frail. Nketiah, now full of confidence, finished his hat-trick in style, turning on the edge of the box and smashing an attempt into the top corner.
Leave a Reply