Arsenal learn from past failures as thumping Sheffield United win keeps them right in title hunt

With just 11 games left, this title race looks set to go to the wire — and so Arsenal should be grateful for nights like these.

This emphatic victory made it seven wins on the spin for the Gunners, as they continue to keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City. Beat Brentford at home on Saturday, and Mikel Arteta's side can take pole position before the league's top two face each other the following day.

It has been a decade since three sides have fought for the title like this, and history suggests there will be plenty of twists and turns to come. There was never any danger of that happening last night, though, and this win was a cruise for Arsenal.

They were three goals to the good within the opening quarter of an hour and, such was the onslaught, the home fans booed the fact five minutes were added on at the end of the first half. At that point, Arsenal were 5-0 up and it felt like a question of what records they were going to break. In the end, they added just one, through Ben White, but they did claim a new record, becoming the first side in English league football to win three consecutive away games by a margin of five or more goals.

United were poor, and this was the fourth home game in a row that they had conceded at least five goals, but Arsenal deserve credit for tearing them apart.

Martin Odegaard ran the show in midfield; Declan Rice caused chaos in his new advanced role; and Kai Havertz continued to silence his critics with a goal and assist.

Arsenal's attackers revelled in the space given to them, and Bukayo Saka terrorised Auston Trusty so much in the first 15 minutes that Blades boss Chris Wilder was forced to make a change. Midfielder Oliver Norwood was hooked and the hosts shifted to a back-five. Ben Osborn came on and was tasked with shackling Saka, but the 22-year-old was unstoppable and helped himself to another assist. United were eventually saved by the England winger coming off at half-time due to sickness.

Arteta will hope Saka is fine to face Brentford this weekend, and the same goes for fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli, who was forced off in the second half due to a cut on his foot.

Ben White

The game was well and truly won by then, though, with Arsenal's remarkable run of form showing no signs of slowing down. After struggling for goals earlier this season, they have now scored 31 goals in their last seven league games. During that time, Arteta's side have conceded just three times and they are not just beating opponents, they are dominating them.

Arsenal had more than 80 per cent possession last night; United did not have a single shot on target; and William Saliba completed more passes than the hosts' entire team.

Such control is a far cry from last season. Exactly a year ago yesterday, Reiss Nelson scored a 97th-minute winner as the Gunners completed a heroic comeback to beat Bournemouth 3-2. It is a compliment to this current Arsenal side that you simply cannot imagine them being involved in such a game; they have too much control.

Arsenal's style gives the feeling that they have plenty left in the tank for what is to come. Last season injuries and the emotional excursion of games like Bournemouth took their toll, but Arteta's side are a different beast now.

They are able to suffocate opponents with their relentless pressing and, crucially, have developed a ruthless streak and are killing games. Of the 31 goals they have scored during this seven-game streak, 26 have been before the 70th minute.

Arteta's side have swapped nail-biting comebacks for the chance to rest players, and no more is that evident than with Saka. He rarely gets a rest, but during this winning run has come off early in five of the seven games.

In what is an exceptionally tight title race, small margins will make a difference, and the way Arsenal have been able to cruise in games lately must be beneficial.

"When you go a few goals up early on, it always takes the pressure off," said defender White. "It allows you to enjoy the game and score more, like we did.

"We just played so aggressive from the start, created so many chances, and with the players we've got, we put them away. Hopefully, this is just the start and we can kick on for the rest of the season now."