Friday, March 29, 2024

Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal: Saka limps off as Gunners cruise to routine win

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 11 Apr 2021

137 Views

Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the Premier League but saw Bukayo Saka limp off ahead of their crucial Europa League clash with Slavia Prague.

The Gunners were always in control of Sunday’s contest at Bramall Lane, which will surely soon no longer be a Premier League venue given the Blades are near certainties for the drop.

Alexandre Lacazette’s superb 33rd-minute opener put Arsenal ahead and, shortly after Saka had departed the stage with an injury, Gabriel Martinelli made sure of the points prior to a late second for Lacazette.

Arsenal are ninth, 10 points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham, but their hopes of Champions League qualification rest on Thursday’s quarter-final second leg in Prague, where they must score after a 1-1 draw in the first game.

Saka and David McGoldrick wasted presentable opportunities in the opening 10 minutes before Martinelli fired into the side-netting at the end of an excellent counter-attack.

Martinelli was then denied by Aaron Ramsdale and Calum Chambers saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Enda Stevens before Arsenal deservedly broke the deadlock in style.

Lacazette started and finished the move, laying off for Saka, whose return pass was exquisitely flicked by Dani Ceballos to allow the former Lyon striker to roll into the bottom-right corner.

A largely low-key second half saw Lacazette bend an effort over the bar before Saka came off in some discomfort to give Gunners manager Mikel Arteta cause for concern.

He had reason to smile again in the 71st minute when Martinelli tapped in on the rebound after Ramsdale parried Nicolas Pepe’s low shot, with the impressive Lacazette applying gloss to the scoreline in the 85th minute as he latched on to Thomas Partey’s throughball and rifled home.

What does it mean? Saka injury sours fine performance

The gulf in class was evident throughout and Arteta will have been thrilled with the manner in which Arsenal dispatched inferior opposition, something they failed to do in the first leg with Slavia.

But there were worried expressions in the Arsenal dugout when Saka came off having not being fouled, the forward seen with ice strapped to his thigh after his 69th-minute withdrawal.

Lacazette brings up his half-century

By scoring his second, Lacazette became the sixth Frenchman to score 50 Premier League goals, joining three former Gunners in Thierry Henry, Olivier Giroud and Robert Pires.

Burke bereft of opportunities

United’s lack of goalscoring threat was telling throughout and was best illustrated by Oliver Burke, who in 64 minutes playing up front with McGoldrick did not have a single shot or play a key pass.

What’s next?

Arsenal’s season hinges on events in the Czech Republic on Thursday, while they could influence the fight against relegation when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage next Sunday. Bottom club United visit Wolves on Saturday, with relegation looming large.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SoccerNews

Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.

You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.

SHARE OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

WE RECOMMEND

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This field is required *

Join the conversation!

or Register

Live Scores

advertisement

Betting Guide Advertisement

advertisement

Become a Writer
More More
Top