On an autumnal afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal put on an attacking masterclass to thrash Sheffield United 5-0.

Mikel Arteta had a plan, and his Arsenal squad executed it to perfection.

Up against Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United side, who were set up in a cautious 4-5-1 formation, Arsenal displayed tactical and statistical dominance that culminated in a resounding victory.

Eddie Nketiah’s scintillating performance

Eddie Nketiah was unequivocally the star of the show.

Deployed in the centre-forward role in Gabriel Jesus’s absence, he put Arsenal on the board in the 28th minute and completed his hat-trick with goals in the 50th and 58th minutes. His final, smashed home from range, was the pick of the bunch.

With a high-performance rating of 9.6, he was directly involved in three goals, took four shots, and had an impressive expected goals (xG) rating of 0.96, the highest of any player on the pitch by a distance.

His performance not only elevated his personal stock but set the stage for Arsenal’s comprehensive victory.

Vieira and Tomiyasu’s late contributions

The late goals from Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu were more than just icing on the cake.

Vieira, a second-half substitute, confidently netted an 88th-minute penalty with a xG of 0.79 for his first of the season.

Tomiyasu’s stoppage-time goal came on his 50th league appearance for Arsenal, a milestone that he’ll surely cherish, especially as it was also his first for the club.

The numbers tell the story

Arsenal’s supremacy was glaring. They maintained 67% possession and took 13 shots compared to Sheffield’s two.

The expected goals figure was overwhelmingly in favour of Arsenal at 2.50, contrasting sharply with Sheffield United’s paltry 0.03.

Key players like Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli also pulled their weight, registering ratings of 7.6.

Injury update

Arsenal managed to get through the game without any new injuries, which will come as a relief to fans and management alike.

Expanded statistical breakdown: Arsenal’s numerical supremacy

The stats from the match offer more than just a glimpse into Arsenal’s domination; they practically scream it. Let’s delve into some key statistics that exemplify the extent of Arsenal’s control:

• Ball Possession: Arsenal’s 67% possession compared to Sheffield’s 33% illustrates a one-sided affair. This allowed Arsenal to dictate the pace and implement their tactical approach effectively.
• Expected Goals (xG): A striking xG of 2.78 for Arsenal against a minuscule 0.03 for Sheffield United further emphasizes the chasm in attacking quality between the two sides.
• Total Shots: Arsenal racked up 13 shots, eight of which were on target, against Sheffield’s paltry two attempts, neither of which troubled the goalkeeper.
• Big Chances: Arsenal created four big chances during the match, and notably missed none. This sharp contrast to Sheffield’s zero in both categories amplifies the difference in attacking potency.
• Pass Accuracy: Arsenal completed 598 passes with a 90% accuracy, dwarfing Sheffield’s 240 accurate passes at a 75% rate. This differential underlines Arsenal’s superior ball retention and distribution skills.
• Fouls and Corners: Arsenal committed fewer fouls (nine to Sheffield’s 13) and won more corners (six to Sheffield’s one), highlighting their discipline and threat from set-pieces.

Arsenal players’ ratings

The individual player ratings further substantiate Arsenal’s collective brilliance:

• David Raya: 7.2
• Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7.3
• Kamil Kiwior: 7.2
• William Saliba: 7.3
• Ben White: 7.3
• Emile Smith Rowe: 7.2
• Declan Rice: 7.8
• Kai Havertz: 7.2
• Gabriel Martinelli: 7.6
• Eddie Nketiah: 9.6
• Bukayo Saka: 7.0
• Substitutes:
  • Leandro Trossard: 6.3
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7.5
  • Reiss Nelson: 6.1
  • Fabio Vieira: 7.8
  • Mohamed Elneny: N/A

These ratings, which largely hover above the 7.0 mark, reflect a team performance where nearly every individual excelled.

Eddie Nketiah, with a staggering 9.6, was the jewel in Arsenal’s crown.

Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United wasn’t just a result of a few moments of brilliance but a systematic dismantling substantiated by numerical dominance.