If this was a boxing match…

 

Sheffield United 0 Arsenal 6    
Premier League 
Monday 5th March 2024  8pm    

The gulf in the level of quality between the Premier League and the Championship has been confirmed this season by the struggles faced by both Sheffield United and Burnley. Luton are making more of a fist of it having qualified from the play-offs, although they are currently filling the third relegation spot. The point is that pretty much everyone is beating these teams home and away and anything but three points last night would have been unthinkable for Arsenal’s challenge.

 

Unfortunately for them, Liverpool won their match late on Saturday, as they often do, and Manchester City were almost held in their derby game the following day. One thing is certain, one or both of these sides have to drop points next weekend when they face each other, so Arsenal can certainly take advantage if they beat Brentford at home.

 

Arteta might have had Jesus on the bench, but chose to stick with a winning team and given the recent results, you have to believe he’s be mad to do anything else. The players delivered in spades and before 25 minutes had passed the game was well and truly put to bed. 4-0 up as the Blades’ defence were torn apart. It was hot knife through butter stuff with the goals spread around the team. 

 

Remember Austin Trusty? A centre back signed for Arsenal from Stan Kroenke’s Colorado Rapids team early in 2022? He played last season at loan for Birmingham City and joined the newly-promoted Sheffield United in the summer. Chris Wilder decided that it might be an idea to play Trusty at left back to contain Bukayo Saka. That went well. Before 20 minutes were up, the Sheffield United manager took off one of his midfield and switched to five at the back. Damage limitation time already, although it didn’t stop the goals. 4-0 up after 25 minutes, 5-0 by half-time. 

 

Saka’s ability with his right foot created two of the goals – one of which went in off an opposition centre back  – as defenders didn’t know whether to avoid him drifting in to take a shot or prevent him getting to the by-line to pull a cross back. He is a nightmare to play against. On the other flank Martinelli was equally dangerous with his pace, and the one blackspot of the evening was him limping off with injury in the second half. The noises from the club were that the Brazilian should be fit for the next match and that the issue was a cut on his foot. Saka was swapped at half time apparently because he felt ill, with Vieira replacing him. 

 

Only one goal was scored in the second half to make it six as the intensity returned to training ground exercise level. Lots of keep ball, but once Saka was removed, Arsenal’s attacking threat was weaker anyway. The sixth goal came from a Ben White shot before the hour and when Martinelli was subbed soon after, it was time to give the players on the bench some match fitness. Jesus, Partey, Cedric and Trossard all came on. Thomas Partey was sloppy at times and reminded why at times, Jorginho looks a much better option. He might not have the drive of the Ghanaian but he is less of a liability when his team are playing keep ball. My belief is that the side will remain as it is with Kiwior keeping out Zinchenko when fit again. The balance of the team just seems right going on recent performances and when everyone is fit, then the bench can play a bigger role. 

 

Kiwior assisted for Martinelli’s goal last night after scoring in the previous game. He didn’t look the part earlier in the season, but a run of games has done wonders for the Pole and justified his purchase from Spezia just over a year ago. No Austin Trusty, he. Defensively Sheffield United did not even win a corner, such was the dominance of the visitors. Some of the crowd gave up and went home after half an hour. Who can blame them? It was a wet chilly evening and it must have been torture watching their team being taken apart. The PA blared out ‘Annie’s Song’ by John Denver at the start of the second half. I couldn’t help but think that ‘Exodus’ by Bob Marley might have been more fitting given the number of empty red seats. It’s a nice habit Arsenal are developing on their travels, the ability to make the home fans depart early and unhappy.

 

Arsenal’s goals were once again spread around the team, and their performance – in some past seasons – would have been seen as part of a procession on the way to the title. Their recent matches since the Dubai break have built up such a momentum that they are playing like a side destined for silverware. But of course, there are two others doing similar. If Arsenal pick up the points you would expect them to, going on current form, it will all come down to the away trips where results will not come so easy as they have been. The visits to the Etihad, the Lane and Old Trafford will likely prove the determining factor in Arsenal’s finishing position. 

 

Key is the strength of the defensive side of their game and for this reason, it is important that Jorginho continues to start. Havertz has played well enough to keep Jesus out, and the team can always score a goal or two. But the clean sheets are needed to secure results. There will be some tighter wins required. Aside from the three aforementioned away games, there are some potential banana skin games, and who knows what will happen in the Champions League? After the Porto game, as there is a break until the match v Manchester City, should Arsenal qualify for the last eight, they could be playing two matches a week for what remains of the campaign. It’s a positive on that level that both Liverpool and Manchester City are still involved in both the FA Cup and European competition.  

 

As it stands, the bookies have Arsenal third favourites, with Manchester City just odds-on. They rate the Gunners’ chances as one in three and a half of taking first place by the end of May. Experience of winning things is what is behind the odds, something that Arsenal have not done since the 2020 FA Cup. None of the starting eleven from that game are still on the club’s books with the exception of the on-loan Kieran Tierney. Saka was on the bench along with Nketiah and Nelson. However, Arteta has bought players who know what it takes to win league titles in the shape of Jesus, Zinchenko and Jorginho. Declan Rice lifted a European trophy in his last match before joining the club. Kai Havertz has scored the winner in a Champions League final. There is experience to go with the incredible young talent. 

 

These are exciting times. It might be a season too early for this team, we will find out. But there is certainly a chance. They don’t need to be winning matches by a hatful of goals, they just need to keep winning them somehow. No need for an orthodox striker as it stands, just the requirement for the defence to stay solid and not be giving away any cheap goals.

Last night was great, but at the end of the day, the team won the same number of points as their title rivals did. On to the next one to ensure they keep the incredible momentum going. These are the best of times – let’s hope these displays are looked back upon as building blocks towards something much bigger.

 

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