Sheffield United 0 Arsenal 3: Story of the game from Bramall Lane as sorry Blades move closer to relegation
Sheffield United lost 3-0 to Arsenal at Bramall Lane tonight.
Here’s how the action unfolded, with post-match reaction from both managers.
Blades v Arsenal LIVE from the Lane
Last updated: Sunday, 11 April, 2021, 22:04
- Blades make three changes for Arsenal clash - Ampadu, Egan and Burke in, Jagielka, McBurnie and Bogle out, while John Lundstram starts
- Lacazette put Arsenal ahead just after the half-hour mark
- Martinelli then added a second
- Lacazette then capped the win with a third with five minutes remaining
Hecky: Result seems harsh
It was disappointing. The scoreline seems harsh, but the margins are so fine. I thought we had our strongest moments just before their second goal, and that took the wind out of our sails.
John Egan’s reaction
“Confidence is a big thing in football and the only way to get confidence back is by playing well and improving as a team. We have to look forward, learn from the mistakes and try to be better.”
Heckingbottom on Oli McBurnie’s injury
The doctor has taken him for an X-ray. It’s a problem with his foot. It would be nice to get through the season without losing more players.
Heckingbottom on Sander Berge
“We are looking to get Sander on the training pitch this week. That will be a big boost. We are looking to get him some minutes on the pitch in a couple of weeks or so.”
What Mikel Arteta made of the game...
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, believes his side’s 3-0 win at Sheffield United tonight is ideal preparation for his side’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague next week.
Arsenal were full value for their first Premier League win at Bramall Lane, with skipper Alexandre Lacazette scoring twice and Gabriel Martinelli scoring his first goal in over a year on another disappointing night for the Blades in a season full of them.
They moved a step closer to a return to the Championship, and Arsenal boss Arteta said: “I’m happy with the way we played, we controlled the game the way we wanted and played at a high level.
“I had the feeling that the boys were at it, we were aggressive in our press and efficient and I had a good feeling. We had good cohesion in the team and when they changed to a diamond, we adapted to it and we’re happy with the win.”
Arteta’s joy was tempered by injury concerns over Bukayo Saka and Martinelli, who were both withdrawn.
“He had some discomfort in his thigh,” Arteta said of England youngster Saka.
“I don’t know what it is. The last thing we need is another issue because we have enough of that. Martinelli twisted an ankle and it was sore but he’s a tough boy.”
On Lacazette, Arteta added: “He needed those goals and they came today, he’s playing well at the moment and we’re happy for him.
“This is ideal preparation, we went a long time without a clean sheet and it’s great for us before Thursday.”
Full time
and it’s all over at Bramall Lane as Arsenal win comfortably - United did not lay a glove on them at all and can have no complaints at all about the result. Not long now Blades until it’s all over. Stay tuned for reaction from both managers
3-0 Arsenal
and Lacazette helps himself to a second thanks to a superb turn and pass from Partey, Lacazette peeled off Ampadu and gave Ramsdale the eyes, shaping for one corner before finding the other and capping a comfortable night for the Gunners
Blades sub
sees McBurnie go off, Mousset replaces him with seven minutes or so remaining of normal time
McBurnie is back on
for United and looks to be moving okay, so Mousset waits a little longer to be introduced