ARSENAL stemmed a run of four games without a victory with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over relegation-haunted Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

A brace from Gunners striker Alex Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli’s first goal since January 2020 sealed a win which saw Mikel Areta’s side move into the top half of the table. 

The 19-year-old Brazilian was handed a rare start in a frustrating campaign marred by injury, but showed his predatory powers to grab the north Londoner’s second goal at Bramall Lane with a clinical finish after Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale could only parry Nicolas Pepe’s shot.

On a freezing night in south Yorkshire punctuated by snow flurries, the gulf in class showed between Arsenal and the Premier League’s bottom side, Martinelli’s strike was sandwiched between two Lacazette goals. 

The first from the former Lyon striker was an excellent finish to cap a well-worked Arsenal move, prompted by Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos’s flick. The second was a clinical effort as the clock ticked down, after an excellent through ball from Thomas Partey.

Ahead of a big week for the Gunners with the crucial Europa League quarter final clash with Slavia Prague on Thursday, Arteta analysed the win, saying: “I am really happy with the way we played, we scored some really nice goals and controlled the game the way we wanted. 

“We played at a high level. From the start I felt the boys were at it, we were efficient.

“This is ideal preparation for Thursday. It has been a long run without a clean sheet.”

However, delight at a first clean sheet in 15 games for Arsenal was tempered with the sight of Bukayo Saka limping off in the second half with a thigh injury — making the influential 19-year-old a doubt for the vital match in the Czech Republic. 

To compound matters, Martinelli also hobbled off late in the game to be replaced by Mohamed Elneny.

Assessing the injuries after the win which lifts the Gunners above Leeds and Aston Villa and up to ninth in the table, with 45 points, Arteta said: “The last thing we need is another injury but he [Saka] felt something in his thigh.

“Gabriel Martinelli twisted his ankle but he’s a tough boy. Against Prague, Lacazette missed two big chances and he needed those goals. He has been playing well.”

For their part, United looked doomed to relegation after suffering their 25th defeat of a miserable season. The Blades have won only four games this term, and none since Paul Heckingbottom became caretaker in charge a month ago after Chris Wilder’s departure.

With a whopping 18 points away from safety and only 21 left to play for, the Blades are all but doomed. With their poor goal difference, defeat at Wolves next weekend will surely confirm their relegation.

Heckingbottom said afterwards: “We’ll keep fighting and pushing to make sure we get more points before the end of the season.

“We have a varied group, some young boys just starting their journey and some older players who have been on a journey with this club over the last five years.

“You have to learn from the tough moments and come back stronger.”