PLAYER RATINGS: Bukayo Saka is just magic and Declan Rice continues to purr in Arsenal’s 6-0 win at Sheffield United… and one Gunners star is finding his stride after a slow start

Arsenal recorded a resounding 6-0 win over Sheffield United to keep up the pressure on compatriots Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners led 5-0 at half-time, with goals from Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, as well as an own goal from Jayden Bogle.

The hosts were not as astute after the break, but continued the attack. Ben White was also in action to make it six as Arsenal came away from Bramall Lane with a third successive away win with five or more goals scored.

For the home side it was another painful defeat, which leaves them with a goal difference of -50 after just 27 games this season.

Here, Mail Sport’s DOMINIC KING reveals who impressed and who struggled to perform at Bramall Lane on Monday night.

The 6-0 defeat to the Gunners leaves the Blades with a goal difference of -50 from 27 games

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

David Raya – Could have gone to the nearby mall, had a coffee, bought some clothes and come back and still kept a clean sheet. Scores high for staying awake – 7

Ben White – Whatever happens from here, no one will take away the statistic that he scored Arsenal’s 10,000th goal – and that was a great finish too – 8

William Saliba – Walked through the game with complete control. A beautiful moment in the first half when he netted a header, like a secondary school student plays against toddlers – 8

Gabriel – Like his partner-in-crime, he is probably asked more questions every day during training than here – 7

Jakub Kiwior – One dirty ball in the second half can be excused, others neat and tidy from start to finish and willing outlet – 7

Martin Odegaard – You would happily pay money every week to watch this man play football.

If he meets these conditions, he can pass, move and score at his own discretion – 8.5

Ben White scored Arsenal’s 10,000th goal with a fine finish with his weaker left foot

Martin Odegaard was able to pass, move and center at his own discretion on Monday evening

Jorginho – An incident in the first half showed how little pressure he was under – he hit a few meters to the right, then to the left, and no one stopped him – 7

Declan Rice – He is currently spinning, didn’t have to think about defensive duties and will probably be disappointed that he only scored once – 8

Bukayo Saka – Magic. Just magic. Close control, speed, sharpness, menace and all with a grin. Precious cargo, this boy. A pleasure to see it in full flight – 9

Kai Havertz – He really found his stride now, took his goal with confidence and you knew he would score if he was clear. A great asset – 8.5

Gabriel Martinelli – Fast feet, rapier waves and bursting with desire to make every second count. Ran Sheffield’s defenders were ragged: 8

Declan Rice continues to spin in midfield for Arsenal and was on the scoresheet in the first half

Bukayo Saka was the best player on the pitch despite only playing 45 minutes of the match

Kai Havertz continues to go from strength to strength at Arsenal after a slow start

substitutes:

Fabio Vieira for Bukayo Saka – 6.5

Gabriel Jesus for Gabriel Martinelli – 6

Thomas Partey for Jorginho – 6

Carlo Soares for Ben White-6

MANAGER

MIKEL ARTETA – There is no need for a big party during the match, because the match is over after just five minutes. Does his team function fluently – 8

SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-5-1)

Ivo Grbic – Great save from Gabriel Jesus later, but no chance with anything else coming his way – 5

Auston reliable – Turned inside out and back again by Saka and the fact that a reshuffle was needed after 16 minutes told you how he played – 3

Gustavo Hamer – Shouldn’t midfielders run and tackle and try to contribute? Well, he didn’t do any of that. He wasn’t the only one – 3

Oli McBurnie – Completely anonymous. No press, no serve, no intensity – just jogging to see Arsenal have 81 percent possession – 3

Auston Trusty had the tough job of keeping an eye on Saka, but was turned inside and out

Oli McBurnie was anonymous and simply jogged around to see how Arsenal had 81 percent of the ball

Anel Ahmedhodzic – Home fans had nothing to cheer about, but they did raise themselves when he was taken off the pitch in the second half – 3

Oliver Norwood – The sacrificial lamb for his manager who chooses the wrong team. Taken off the pitch after 16 minutes to allow United to play five at the back. A nonsense – 5

Jack Robinson – First minute away from Martinelli’s line, looking completely dejected as those around him wilted – 5

Jayden Bogel – His feet went haywire as Saka rushed to his right to save Arsenal’s second. It wasn’t his fault the match ended like this: 4

Vini Souza – A great difficulty in finding the words to describe a performance by someone who was invisible for much of the night – 3

Tom Davis – Dragged away at half-time, another scapegoat for what had happened. At least he tried to challenge, which is more than can be said of others: 5

James McAtee – Another person who didn’t get past the first 45 minutes. What a cathartic experience this was – 4

substitutes:

Ben Osborn for Oliver Norwood – 4

Andre Brooks for Tom Davies – 4

George Baldock for James McAtee – 4

Vini Souza remained invisible to the downed Blades for most of the evening

Oliver Norwood was hooked after just 16 minutes and Ben Osborn took his place in a reshuffle

William Osula for Oli McBurnie-4

Oliver Arblaster for Anel Ahmedhodzic – 4

MANAGER

CHRIS WILDER – His second stint here goes from bad to worse. Nothing he did has affected the game, no lessons seem to have been learned from recent wallopings – 3