Sheffield United v Arsenal player ratings: Baldock has a torrid time as Lacazette is 'Mr Reliable' once again

Lacazette and Martinelli strikes seal 3-0 win to send Sheffield United closer to relegation

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  Aaron Ramsdale, 5 – The Blades goalkeeper is staring down the barrel at a second consecutive relegation having now conceded 60 goals in 35 games. He’s not a bad ‘keeper by any stretch, but he didn’t help his cause when he struck a miscued clearance straight at Alexandre Lacazette. Reuters

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  George Baldock, 4 – Failed to provide the overlapping runs we’ve typically come to expect from him, but that was largely down to the energy of Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette who gave him a torrid time. AFP

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  Ethan Ampadu, 6 - Probably the most assured of the Blades’ defenders with a few vital, last-ditch interventions, although he will have been mightily relieved when Peter Banks deemed his trip on Lacazette to be outside the area. EPA

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  John Egan, 5 - The Blades skipper was a huge part of the their surprise success last term and he squandered a priceless opportunity to level the scores when his effort lacked the power to trouble Berndt Leno. EPA

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  Enda Stephens, 5 - Turned inside out by the lively Nicolas Pepe in the early stages, only to be offered a reprieve by the offside flag, and he was guilty of a couple of sloppy clearances as the Blades struggled to get a foothold in the game. Reuters

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  Ben Osborn, 6 - Put his body on the line for the cause when he was in the right place to clear Calum Chambers' goal-bound effort to safety but he was turned all too easily by Nicolas Pepe, who picked out the run of Lacazette and that was game over. AFP

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  John Lundstram, 4 – Like Ramsdale, he was guilty of a couple of horror clearances and he played the ball straight to Pepe who darted into the box and took aim as Gabriel Martinelli doubled the Gunner’s lead. EPA

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  Oliver Norwood, 6 - Did his best to pull the strings in midfield but it was always going to be a big ask. Despite that, he produced a couple of important blocks and crafted half a chance for John Egan who forced a punch from Leno just after the break. EPA

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  John Fleck, 5 - Another one of the hosts’ heroes of recent years, but he was completely ineffective against the rampant Gunners who ran riot in the middle. Reuters

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  David McGoldrick 6 – Arguably the Blades star man this term, he dragged an early effort just wide after good work from Oliver Burke. He worked hard but without reward and he was withdrawn in the second half. EPA

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  Oliver Burke, 6 - Huffed and puffed but he did little to trouble the visiting defenders despite his efforts. Like McGoldrick, he worked hard to hunt down openings but without success and he was replaced for the final 26 minutes. EPA

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  SUB: Rhian Brewster, 5 - Replaced McGoldrick in a double-switch as Paul Heckingbottom rolled the dice. It's now 25 games without a goal for the forward who saw his best opportunity deflected away to safety by Pablo Mari. EPA

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  Oli McBurnie, 4 - Replaced Burke in the 64th minute only to be withdrawn himself just 19 minutes later having picked up a knock. EPA

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  SUB: Lys Mousset, 6 - Replaced McBurnie after the substitute picked up a knock. Blasted his only opportunity straight across the face of goal. Reuters

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  ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – Probably the quietest night he’ll have this season. He was never really tested as Arsenal recorded a much-needed clean sheet which will provide a vital confidence boost ahead of Thursday’s trip to Prague. EPA

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  Calum Chambers, 6 – The full-back was rarely called upon defensively and was given the freedom to push forward and provide an abundance of attacking support on the right flank. Linked up nicely with Lacazette as the Gunners looked for a fourth late on. Reuters

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  Rob Holding, 6 - Forced to concede a corner as McGoldrick found space on the left and he will have been thankful to see John Egan fail to capitalise from his headed clearance, but he never really looked to be in trouble. EPA

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  Pablo Mari, 6 - Produced a couple of important blocks in a commanding display at the back. He went into the book late on, presumably for a tangle with McBurnie who had to be withdrawn. EPA

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  Dani Ceballos, 8 - A fine performance from the midfielder who’s dazzling assist played Lacazette clean through to cap a wonderful team goal. Brilliant stuff. Reuters

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  Granit Xhaka 6 – The tough-tackling midfielder may well have been deployed at left-back, but the Arsenal players covered so much ground it was virtually impossible to tell. Nonetheless, he was effective in breaking up rare United attacks and positioned himself well to deflect McGoldrick’s effort over the bar. EPA

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  Thomas Partey, 8 - A relatively quiet display for the most part, but the midfielder is worth an eight for his stunning turn and through-ball alone which allowed Lacazette to bundle in a third Arsenal goal. AFP

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  Nicolas Pepe, 7 - The forward never stopped running and he created as easy a finish as you’ll see for Martinelli when his arrowed strike was parried by Ramsdale. He wasn’t at his sparking best, but he was still effective. Reuters

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  Bukayo Saka, 7 - Like Pepe, he covered virtually every blade of grass, but his withdrawal will be a major cause for concern for Arsenal fans ahead of next week’s clash with Slavia Prague after the youngster picked up a knock. EPA

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  Alexandre Lacazette, 8 – Mr Reliable once again.. A quiet start, but once he came to life he was a constant handful. Capped a fine Arsenal attack with a composed finish to break the deadlock and that proved to be the difference. EPA

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  Gabriel Martinelli, 8 - One of Arsenal's busiest performers. Blasted into the sidenetting with teammates waiting for a tap-in before Ramsdale reacted well to keep out his deflected strike, but he got the goal he deserved when he fired the Gunners 2-0 ahead with a poacher’s finish. Reuters

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  SUB: Mohamed Elneny, NR - Replaced the impressive Martinelli as the Gunners saw the game out comfortably. Reuters

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  SUB: Willian, 5 - Replaced Saka in the 69th minute but he offered little, although he didn’t really need to get beyond second gear. EPA

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  SUB: Eddie Nketiah, NR - A brief outing for the 21-year-old who had little-to-no time to make an impact.. EPA

Arsenal kept alive their hopes of playing in European competition next season with a 3-0 win at Sheffield United who were left staring at relegation after Alexandre Lacazette scored twice and Gabriel Martinelli added another on Sunday.

The result lifted Arsenal to ninth place on 45 points from 31 games while Sheffield United stayed rooted to the bottom on 14 points, 18 adrift of safety with seven games remaining.

Arsenal missed several chances before Lacazette started and finished a flowing move in the 33rd minute as he side-footed a cheeky Dani Ceballos assist past home goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The French striker drilled a shot wide from 16 metres before Martinelli made it 2-0 in the 71st minute when he tapped in a close-range rebound as Ramsdale parried a Nicolas Pepe shot straight into his path.

It was the Brazilian's first Premier League goal since January 2020 when he netted against Chelsea and it came as fitting reward for a fine all-round performance.

Lacazette sealed Arsenal's win in the 85th minute with his 50th Premier League goal as he took a defence-splitting Thomas Partey pass in his stride and steered it past Ramsdale from the edge of the penalty area.