CNN
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In what was some of the one-sided video games in English Premier League historical past, a rampant Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday.
It was onerous to not really feel sorry for the Blades followers who had made the hassle of attending the match at Bramall Lane, because the visiting Arsenal merely pummeled the host in a flurry of attacking intent.
In reality, the sport was over after simply quarter-hour because the Gunners raced right into a 3-0 lead.
Captain Martin Ødegaard obtained the present began with a objective within the fifth minute, shortly adopted by an own-goal by Jayden Bogle. As soon as Gabriel Martinelli obtained the third within the fifteenth minute, many Sheffield United supporters determined they’d seen sufficient and began to go away the stadium.
The mass exodus solely ramped up after Kai Havertz and Declan Rice made it 5-0 earlier than half-time.
“That was a shame when it comes to a half of soccer,” Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Carragher mentioned throughout the broadcast at half-time. “I believe it was some of the one-sided video games I’ve ever seen.
“That’s stunning. I can’t consider something worse that I’ve ever seen in a half of soccer.”
Regardless of the Premier League’s largest win document of 9-0 in its sights, Arsenal solely managed to attain yet another objective after the break, courtesy of defender Ben White.
However Sheffield’s stadium seemed notably empty by the top of the evening, with giant swathes of dwelling supporters leaving means earlier than the ultimate whistle. Arsenal followers, in the meantime, appeared to be having fun with their journey.
As a lot as Arsenal must be credited for a ruthless show, Sheffield United supplied little or no opposition in an terrible efficiency, managing simply over 19% of the possession.
The membership has struggled since being promoted to the English Premier League this season and at the moment sits backside of the league on objective distinction.
The group has now conceded 12 targets in its final three league video games, with out managing to search out the online as soon as itself.
However Arsenal, bidding for a primary league title in 20 years, supplied little mercy because it tore by way of Sheffield’s protection at will.
The Gunners are at the moment having fun with a purple patch of type in entrance of objective and have now scored 31 targets in a run of seven consecutive league wins because the New 12 months.
Arsenal additionally made historical past on Monday, changing into the primary aspect in English league soccer historical past to win three successive away video games by 5 targets or extra, in keeping with Opta.
“An excellent evening – it’s a extremely troublesome place to return, however the best way we began the sport clearly made the distinction,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta advised reporters postmatch.
He added: “We had been actually aggressive, actually constructive and we confirmed actual high quality, particularly within the last third to take the sport right into a place the place it was in an enormous favor for us after which we maintained it.
“We maintained the rhythm, the starvation and I like that in regards to the group.”
The win meant Arsenal stored tempo with its title rivals – it nonetheless sits one level behind second-placed Manchester Metropolis and two factors off league chief Liverpool.
The North London membership will face Brentford in its subsequent league fixture on Saturday, with a crunch tie towards Metropolis on March 31 quick approaching.
Given the performances of late, although, Arsenal’s gamers will really feel assured of beating anybody in entrance of them.