SHEFFIELD: Arsenal entered the record books as a 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United on Monday kept the Gunners on Liverpool and Manchester City’s tails in the Premier League title race. Martin Odegaard, Jayden Bogle’s own goal, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice put the visitors 5-0 at half-time before Ben White rounded off the scoring.

Mikel Arteta’s men become the first side to ever win three consecutive away games in the English top-flight by five or more goals. “When we had the ball, we were in a good mood today,” said Arsenal captain Odegaard. “Created a lot, scored the goals early on - a nice performance.” By contrast, Sheffield United also set a new record by becoming the first English top-flight side to concede five or more goals in three straight home matches. “It’s a painful season and the boys are a damaged group of players,” said Blades boss Chris Wilder.

“They were in a different league, a different planet to us. We couldn’t lay a glove on them.” Arsenal’s stunning streak of 31 goals in seven consecutive Premier League wins since a winter break has at least built up a big advantage over their rivals should the title be decided on goal difference.

They remain in third, just two points behind leaders Liverpool and one adrift of defending champions City. However, Arteta’s men can go top with victory at home to Brentford on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s showdown between Liverpool and City at Anfield. “I love the way the team played. The quality and the aggression we showed from the beginning,” said Arteta. “We have to continue to do what we are doing.”

Havertz hits form

There appeared little doubt over the outcome from the first whistle at Bramall Lane. Bukayo Saka rattled the crossbar after just two minutes and what little resistance there was from the Blades ended just five minutes in. Rice’s cross picked out the unmarked Odegaard to turn into the bottom corner. Saka’s five-game scoring streak in the league came to an end but he did bag two assists before going off at half-time due to illness.

The England international turned former Arsenal defender Austin Trusty with ease as he got to the by-line and his driven cross flicked off Bogle into his own net. Martinelli’s deflected effort quickly made it 3-0 and forced Wilder to make a change after just 17 minutes.

Ben Osborn replaced Oliver Norwood but a change of shape did little to stem the bleeding for the hosts. Havertz is beginning to silence his critics after a slow start to life at the Emirates following a £65 million ($82 million) move from Chelsea.

The German international slammed home Arsenal’s fourth before Rice then got in on the party by sweeping home Saka’s cross six minutes before half-time. Only the sight of Martinelli hobbling off just after the hour mark blighted a perfect night for the visitors.

White rounded off the scoring with a cool finish from Havertz’s cut-back on 58 minutes as Arsenal matched their record Premier League away win, set just last month at West Ham. By that stage many of the home support had headed for the exits, resigned to their side’s fate on the night and the season.

Wilder’s men remain rooted to the foot of the table, 11 points adrift of safety with 11 games remaining. Arsenal on the other hand are 11 matches away from a first league title for 20 years and could not wish to be in finer form heading down the home straight. — AFP