Eddie Nketiah hits hat-trick as five-star Arsenal sweep aside Sheffield United

English striker grabs his first Premier League treble as Mikel Arteta's side keep pressure up on leaders Spurs

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring a hat-trick in Arsenal's 5-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United at the Emirates Staidum on October 26, 2023. Getty Images

Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrates after scoring Arsenal's final goal. Getty Images

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu scores his sides fifth goal. PA

Fabio Vieira of Arsenal scores the team's fourth goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images

Fabio Vieira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's fourth. Getty Images

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal. AP

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah scores their third goal and completes his hat-trick. Reuters

Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's second goal. Getty Images

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah scores his side's second. PA

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring his side's first goal. AP

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah, left, celebrates scoring his side's opener. AP

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah score the opening goal. AFP

Arsenal's Ben White crosses the ball. AFP

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. EPA

Arsenal's Declan Rice and Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer battle. PA

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom. Getty Images

Eddie Nketiah returned to the Arsenal starting line-up with style as the England forward hit a first Premier League hat-trick in a 5-0 win over bottom club Sheffield United.

Mikel Arteta made five changes for the visit of the Blades and it was Nketiah – in for the injured Gabriel Jesus – who proved the difference and ended a memorable afternoon wearing the captain’s armband.

Substitutes Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu wrapped up the points late on with a penalty and a close-range finish respectively on an afternoon where Arsenal’s fringe players took centre-stage.

Martin Odegaard dropped to the bench in the most eye-catching of Arteta’s alterations, which also saw Emile Smith Rowe make his first league start since May 2022.

The victory took Arsenal up to second place, two points behind leaders and north London rivals Tottenham as Arteta’s men remained unbeaten after 10 league games.

For the Blades, this was a galling afternoon where – once their resolute defence was breached for the first goal just before the half-hour mark – the writing was on the wall.

The travelling fans sang the name of under pressure manager Paul Heckingbottom but they have yet to see their team win on their return to the top-flight, with just one point on the board.

With Jesus facing a few weeks out with a hamstring issue, Nketiah has once again been tasked with filling his boots as Arsenal’s go-to centre-forward.

His touch and finish for the opening goal proved he can do the job as the England international set the Gunners on their way to a comfortable victory over the rock-bottom Blades.

Wes Foderingham would have expected to be busier in the opening half but he was on hand to push a rasping Gabriel Martinelli strike wide of the post five minutes before the break.

The second goal arrived five minutes after the interval, Foderingham this time flapping at a Bukayo Saka corner with the ball dropping to Nketiah, who arrowed a shot into the top corner. A VAR check for a potential foul on the United goalkeeper failed to save the visitors.

Nketiah, who made his England debut of the bench in 1-0 friendly win over Australia earlier this month, saved the best for last.

Collecting a pass from Smith Rowe, the 24-year-old rifled home from 20 yards to complete his hat-trick.

Saka, captain in the absence of Odegaard and Jesus, was replaced soon after and – to cheers from the home supporters – gave the armband to Nketiah.

Nketiah initially picked up the ball to take a late penalty awarded after a lengthy VAR check by referee Tim Robinson after Vieira had been caught by Oliver Norwood.

But instead Vieira dusted himself down to send Foderingham the wrong way and further extend the lead.

Tomiyasu rounded off the scoring deep into added time after Mohamed Elneny’s flick on from a near-post corner was deflected into the path of the Japan defender.

Nketiah said after the match: "It's amazing. It's not been easy – last month I lost my auntie so I want to dedicate these three goals to her. Her family were here watching so it is a really special moment.

"These games are about patience, not losing discipline. For the first goal, it was a good ball from Dec and a lovely touch and finish from myself.

"The second, I thought it was clean to go but it is never nice when see the purple VAR screen turns up. The third was amazing, a great strike and a special moment."

On handing over the penalty to Vieira he said: "My first instinct was to grab the ball and go, but Fabio won it and it was a good moment. It's all about being a team player. It was his time to get a chance and he tucked it away."

Sheffield United manager Heckingbottom said: "I think the first half to the second half was chalk and cheese.

"Although Arsenal had a lot of the ball in the first half, Wes [Fotheringham] only had one save to make. Second half the goals were really poor.

"They out-fought us as well as out-played us in the second half. That's what good teams do."