CHRIS WILDER usually loves watching Arsenal — but he will have hated every minute of this humiliation.
The Sheffield United boss spent the start of his pre-match programme notes drooling over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal – how they are “enjoyable to watch” and should be “admired”.
It was hardly an inspirational, rallying cry to give Blades’ suffering fans any hope they have what it takes to pull off a great escape.
Wilder practically rolled out the red and white carpet for the visitors before kick-off.
And his woeful mob of half-hearted flops appeared to take his words far too literally.
They sat back as the Gunners completely and utterly embarrassed them on their own patch — without even a glimpse of any fight, retaliation or passion.
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Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White got on the scoresheet, as well as a Jayden Bogle own goal.
Even Gunners keeper David Raya might be frustrated he did not get in on the action!
In Premier League terms, this is as bad as it gets. A pathetic excuse for a competitive fixture – one of the worst performances by a home side in this division’s proud history.
Arsenal were rampant, and that should be applauded.
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Not so long ago they found these sorts of Prem away days a real struggle, getting bullied and outfought.
Not any more. This lot are the real deal and are on course to take Manchester City and Liverpool all the way in one of the tightest and most thrilling title races we have seen.
The Gunners can now go top with a win at home to Brentford on Saturday — with their two main title rivals going head-to-head at Anfield the following day.
With 11 games left, they have now scored 68 league goals — the most they have ever notched at this stage of a Prem season.
But that is as much credit as Arteta’s boys should get, because they will not enjoy an easier Prem trip for as long as he has hair on his head.
Three Arsenal players could have been blindfolded from the first whistle and they still would have spanked this sorry state of a team.
Much like Wilder with pen on paper, this Blades lot accepted their fate from the off and prayed their opponents were not in a vengeful mood. How wrong they were, and they deservedly paid the price.
The quicker this lot head back to the Championship, the better — especially if this is all they have to offer. There was not an ounce of desire.
Back in December, Luton gave Arsenal a proper game at Kenilworth Road, losing 4-3 in the dying seconds.
Wilder would have got more out of 11 mannequins last night. You have to feel sorry for the Bramall Lane faithful, many of whom had stormed out by the 15th minute as Arsenal went 3-0 up.
The score was 5-0 by half-time, by which time this famous old ground was half-empty.
Those who stayed were either booing or sat in stunned silence.
Of course, this is not the first time the Blades have been battered during this nightmare of a campaign.
United lost 8-0 here in September against Newcastle and 5-0 at the Emirates in October.
They are now the first English league side to concede five or more goals in four consecutive home games in all competitions.
But this one felt different. This smacked of a group of men who had given up, and that is unforgivable.
As for Arsenal, with their goal difference now ten better than City’s and six more than Liverpool’s, it could not have gone any better — barring Martinelli hobbling off with a foot injury in the second half.
They have now scored 31 goals in their last seven wins on the spin.
Sheffield United have only scored 22 goals in the whole campaign.
The rout began with Odegaard in the fifth minute. After Bukayo Saka had rattled the bar, the Norwegian tucked away Rice’s cut-back.
Another came in the 13th minute. Saka waltzed past Auston Trusty at left-back and his ball across goal was comically back-heeled into his own net by Bogle.
It was 3-0 two minutes later. A rapid counter in acres of space as Martinelli’s effort was deflected in. Not even a brief VAR check could stop Arsenal.
That sparked an exodus from the stands and Wilder’s reaction was already too late as he hooked Oliver Norwood for Ben Osborn and switched to a back five.
Norwood shrugged off Wilder’s attempted hug and stormed down the tunnel and the fourth goal came in the 25th minute.
Anel Ahmedhodzic clotheslined Martinelli and Havertz found the bottom corner.
The fifth came in the 39th minute. Saka again raced down the right pulling it back for Rice to fire home.
That was Saka’s last act as he was taken off at the break. There was no need for the kitman to wash that kit!
Wilder made three changes at half- time — not that anyone noticed any uplift as White sweetly fired home in the 58th minute.
The goals then dried up — or Arsenal got bored. It really should have been double figures.
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If the title goes down to goal difference, this game could be the deciding factor.
The worry is Liverpool still have an ace up their sleeve — Sheffield United at home on April 4.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
