Arsenal put on one of the most dominant displays in the Premier League this season, dismantling Sheffield United to win 6-0 at Bramall Lane.
Martin Odegaard started the onslaught inside five minutes. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic victory at relegation-bound United.
After seeing Liverpool and Manchester City collect three points in the latter stages at the weekend, Arsenal knew nothing but a convincing win would do to keep them as serious challengers.
Embed from Getty ImagesFour minutes and 21 seconds. That’s how long it took Martin Odegaard to lead by example, striking the ball into the Sheffield United net.
A mere 10 minutes or so later, Gabriel Martinelli was lashing in Arsenal’s third not even two minutes after Jayden Bogle had diverted Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net.
Kai Havertz and Declan Rice added to the tally so that Arsenal had an astonishing 5-0 lead by the 39th minute.
A collector’s item goal came in the second half, from the left foot of Ben White. Arsenal had equalled their biggest ever Premier League away win, which they had only set at West Ham a few weeks ago.
The Gunners’ six goals follow the five by Brighton and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane and all those games have come after the 3rd February.
But this kind of performance won’t come as a shock to Mikel Arteta. Since he took the reigns as Arsenal manager in late 2019, he began to change the culture of the club and set new standards.
Didn’t work hard for the team? Didn’t play. If you didn’t align with Arteta’s beliefs? You were sold. This era of Arsenal was starting to feel like that of two decades before, a mentality to be at the top of English football and amongst Europe’s elite.
By signing Declan Rice for a club-record fee, by tying down star talents Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli and by always looking to improve, Arteta’s Arsenal were becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Unbeaten in the league against title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. Setting a record for biggest league away win, then equalling it. Arsenal have proven their attack is up to standard, scoring 31 goals in their last seven Premier League games.
At the same time, their defence is one of the best not just in the league, but Europe. They’ve conceded just three goals in this run, a level of consistency that goes hand-in-hand with a team chasing titles.
Arsenal used to be known for flirting with a title challenge before falling apart come this time of year. But, under Mikel Arteta in 2023/24, Arsenal look like they are just warming up in their chase of a title they last lifted 20 years ago.
