Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal: Lacazette and Martinelli goals enough as Gunners win amid Saka injury

Arsenal bounced back from their Europa League frustrations to win 3-0 at Sheffield United on Sunday and climb back into the top half of the Premier League table - though an injury to Bukayo Saka took the shine off the result.

Alexandre Lacazette finished a beautifully-worked team move in the first half, Gabriel Martinelli scored after the break and Lacazette added another late on to seal a deserved victory for the Gunners to get them back on track for a vital season run-in.

The Gunners headed into the Bramall Lane contest 11th in the table and rueing Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw against Slavia Prague at the Emirates, which leaves Mikel Arteta's side needing a result in the second leg to progress to the semi-finals.

Given Arsenal's tough season so far, a trip to Sheffield represented the perfect tonic given the Blades have won just four League games all season as they stare relegation in the face.

The Blades were spirited but despite Arsenal missing some key players, the gulf in class was painfully evident.

Arsenal dominated the early stages of the game, with Gabriel Martinelli - in with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out due to illness - lively.

Bukayo Saka was another impressive performer, roaming around the attack with Granit Xhaka filling in at left-back.

Arsenal got the goal their play deserved 33 minutes in as Lacazette finished a well-worked team move featuring Saka and Dani Ceballos, with the French striker tucking home to celebrate being named captain in the absence on Aubameyang.

The only issue for Arteta in a dominant opening 45 minutes was the fact that Arsenal had not added to their opener and closed out the game by the half-time whistle.

The second half continued in the same fashion, with Sheffield United dogged but lacking quality to truly test Bernd Leno or commit enough bodies forward to catch out the Gunners.

Lacazette should have done better from 20 yards after being teed up by Nicolas Pepe, though Martinelli nabbed the second after Pepe saw a shot saved by Ramsdale with 19 minutes remaining.

That goal was a boost to Arsenal having just seen Saka limp off with an apparent thigh problem a minute or so beforehand - and the 19-year-old's potential absence could have serious ramifications for the Gunners' hopes in Europe.

Lacazette added a third for Arsenal with a ruthless finish after a finish turn and pass from Thomas Partey in midfield to give the scoreline the gloss it deserved.

Saka's injury aside, the result was a deserved one for Arsenal as they sealed a win to climb back to ninth in the table.

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