Gabriel Martinelli scored in his first start since January as Arsenal ended a run of four games without a win with victory over the Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United.
The Brazilian has endured an injury-plagued season, but was on hand to net his side’s second with a finish into an unguarded goal after Aaron Ramsdale had pushed out Nicolas Pepe’s shot.
It was the 19-year-old’s first goal since January 2020.
It came between two Alexandre Lacazette goals – the first a neat first-half finish after Dani Ceballos’ back-heel and the second a clinical effort in the closing stages after he was put clear by Thomas Partey.
Sheffield United have won only four games this season and none since Paul Heckingbottom took caretaker charge a month ago and they had little answer to their opponents’ increased efficiency.
At 1-0 there was always a chance that this generous Arsenal side may provide the Blades with a way back in, but Martinelli’s strike ended such home hopes.
The win lifts Arsenal above Leeds and Aston Villa and up to ninth in the table, with 45 points.
Sheffield United remain rooted to the bottom, 18 points from safety with just 21 left to play for. With their woeful goal difference, a loss at Wolves next Saturday will all but confirm their relegation.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Ramsdale
- 22AmpaduBooked at 90mins
- 12Egan
- 3Stevens
- 2Baldock
- 7Lundstram
- 16Norwood
- 4Fleck
- 23Osborn
- 14BurkeSubstituted forBrewsterat 64′minutes
- 17McGoldrickSubstituted forMcBurnieat 64′minutesSubstituted forMoussetat 83′minutes
Substitutes
- 9McBurnie
- 11Mousset
- 13Lowe
- 15Jagielka
- 18Foderingham
- 20Bogle
- 24Brewster
- 29Bryan
- 34Ndiaye
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Leno
- 21Chambers
- 16Holding
- 22MarÃÂBooked at 80mins
- 34Xhaka
- 18Partey
- 8Ceballos
- 19Pépé
- 7SakaSubstituted forWillianat 69′minutes
- 35MartinelliSubstituted forElnenyat 83′minutes
- 9LacazetteSubstituted forNketiahat 89′minutes
Substitutes
- 2BellerÃÂn
- 6Gabriel
- 12Willian
- 17Cédric Soares
- 24Nelson
- 25Elneny
- 30Nketiah
- 33Ryan
- 66Azeez
Live Text
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Match ends, Sheffield United 0, Arsenal 3.
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Second Half ends, Sheffield United 0, Arsenal 3.
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Ethan Ampadu (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Sheffield United).
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Foul by Rob Holding (Arsenal).
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Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
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Enda Stevens (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah replaces Alexandre Lacazette.
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Attempt missed. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Enda Stevens.
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Goal! Sheffield United 0, Arsenal 3. Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Thomas Partey with a through ball.
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Substitution, Arsenal. Mohamed Elneny replaces Gabriel Martinelli.
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Substitution, Sheffield United. Lys Mousset replaces Oliver McBurnie because of an injury.
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Pablo Marà(Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Offside, Sheffield United. Ben Osborn tries a through ball, but George Baldock is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by John Fleck.
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Attempt blocked. Willian (Arsenal) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is blocked.
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Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Sheffield United).
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