Deadbat
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It was another incredibly difficult afternoon for the Blades as they lost for the fourth time in London this season. United remained in the game but as soon as a piece of skill from Eddie Nketiah outfoxed former Arsenal man Auston Trusty, the game was effectively over. The second half became incredibly one sided with a Foderingham error leading to a another Nketiah strike before the striker completed his hat trick with a superb individual goal. Late strikes from Viera and Tomiyasu gave the scoreline a more realistic look after an extremely one-sided game in which the Blades failed to register a shot on target. It is now 9 defeats in 10 for the Blades who are the only side without a victory in the top flight. There is growing speculation over the future of Paul Heckingbottom as his side looks completely at a mismatch every single week.
The Blades horrendous injury list showed no sign of abating and McBurnie joined a number on the sidelines and will be out for several games. The Blades gave Rhian Brewster and Anis Slimane their first starts of the season and premiered their new grey third strip. In front of an expectant home crowd, Arsenal as expected dominated the ball early on. United were keeping a solid shape and restricting any clear chances until Rice’s ball nearly found Havertz. Saka then had a good opportunity after Martinelli went past Bogle too easily, but the England man could not finish.
The Blades tried to get their more technical players into the game but McAtee was guilty of losing the ball cheaply and Hamer’s shot from half way that nearly went out for a throw in drew howls of laughter from the home fans. Robinson did well to get a block in and Thomas was alert also to one ball inside but the quality Arsenal possess, you know they only need one bit of space and they can punish you.
Rice played a ball forward but NKETIAH’s touch manged to see him get goal side of Trusty who was guilty of switching off but the skill was still to be admired. The forward slotted into the corner giving Foderingham no chance. United had worked hard defensively and kept good shape but could not deal with this quality. Soon after it was nearly a second goal as Martinelli’s fierce strike had to pushed behind. Smith Rowe, in a rare start, then nearly got in but Trusty had to head away. United were glad of half time as it had been one way traffic and the Blades once again unable to get up the field.
The second half began disastrously for United and Foderingham. A corner came in and the keeper made a mess of dealing with the high ball and it dropped for NKETIAH to finish into the empty net. A VAR check ensued but it never seemed any doubt that this was a legal goal and a mistake from the Blades stopper. It was not long before he completed his hat trick as NKETIAH darted inside and hit a superb curling finish into the top corner. The Blades keeper had no chance on this goal as the defence stood off yet again.
At this stage United seemed completely unable to even compete and it bore the resemblance of a practice match as Arsenal moved it from side to side with barely a challenge. United looked physically and mentally spent and it was just a matter of how many the home side would add to a comfortable lead.
Osborn and Archer came on but the first contribution of the former was a clumsy foul and a booking. White then had an effort saved from Foderingham before Bogle was booked for a lazy foul. Trossard and Tomiyasu came on for the home side but they continued to go through the visitors very easily but Robinson again, the one positive, got his foot in to deny Smith Rowe. A further flurry of subs came for both sides with Baldock and Fleck on for McAtee and Bogle.
Most Blades fans were peering at the clock and hoping Arsenal would let up and for a period they were happy to just keep the ball. One came on for his debut for Hamer but Arsenal’s domination continued. United had barely launched an attack all half and most of the game had been played in their final third. A fourth came as Norwood clumsily brought down Viera. It seemed debatable if it was in the area or not but a VAR check deemed it on the line and thus a spot kick. VIERA took it and scored easily. There was 10 minutes of stoppage time added which seemed cruel on the visitors. A further goal came when TOMIYASU finished after a corner. Another VAR check came but once again it went in favour of the home side. A chance for a sixth was put in the side netting before the pain was ended for the Blades fans who continued to sing despite the heavy defeat.
The Blades horrendous injury list showed no sign of abating and McBurnie joined a number on the sidelines and will be out for several games. The Blades gave Rhian Brewster and Anis Slimane their first starts of the season and premiered their new grey third strip. In front of an expectant home crowd, Arsenal as expected dominated the ball early on. United were keeping a solid shape and restricting any clear chances until Rice’s ball nearly found Havertz. Saka then had a good opportunity after Martinelli went past Bogle too easily, but the England man could not finish.
The Blades tried to get their more technical players into the game but McAtee was guilty of losing the ball cheaply and Hamer’s shot from half way that nearly went out for a throw in drew howls of laughter from the home fans. Robinson did well to get a block in and Thomas was alert also to one ball inside but the quality Arsenal possess, you know they only need one bit of space and they can punish you.
Rice played a ball forward but NKETIAH’s touch manged to see him get goal side of Trusty who was guilty of switching off but the skill was still to be admired. The forward slotted into the corner giving Foderingham no chance. United had worked hard defensively and kept good shape but could not deal with this quality. Soon after it was nearly a second goal as Martinelli’s fierce strike had to pushed behind. Smith Rowe, in a rare start, then nearly got in but Trusty had to head away. United were glad of half time as it had been one way traffic and the Blades once again unable to get up the field.
The second half began disastrously for United and Foderingham. A corner came in and the keeper made a mess of dealing with the high ball and it dropped for NKETIAH to finish into the empty net. A VAR check ensued but it never seemed any doubt that this was a legal goal and a mistake from the Blades stopper. It was not long before he completed his hat trick as NKETIAH darted inside and hit a superb curling finish into the top corner. The Blades keeper had no chance on this goal as the defence stood off yet again.
At this stage United seemed completely unable to even compete and it bore the resemblance of a practice match as Arsenal moved it from side to side with barely a challenge. United looked physically and mentally spent and it was just a matter of how many the home side would add to a comfortable lead.
Osborn and Archer came on but the first contribution of the former was a clumsy foul and a booking. White then had an effort saved from Foderingham before Bogle was booked for a lazy foul. Trossard and Tomiyasu came on for the home side but they continued to go through the visitors very easily but Robinson again, the one positive, got his foot in to deny Smith Rowe. A further flurry of subs came for both sides with Baldock and Fleck on for McAtee and Bogle.
Most Blades fans were peering at the clock and hoping Arsenal would let up and for a period they were happy to just keep the ball. One came on for his debut for Hamer but Arsenal’s domination continued. United had barely launched an attack all half and most of the game had been played in their final third. A fourth came as Norwood clumsily brought down Viera. It seemed debatable if it was in the area or not but a VAR check deemed it on the line and thus a spot kick. VIERA took it and scored easily. There was 10 minutes of stoppage time added which seemed cruel on the visitors. A further goal came when TOMIYASU finished after a corner. Another VAR check came but once again it went in favour of the home side. A chance for a sixth was put in the side netting before the pain was ended for the Blades fans who continued to sing despite the heavy defeat.