Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah netted a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United, firing the Gunners back to winning ways in the Premier League.

After Gabriel Jesus picked up a hamstring injury in the Champions League success at Sevilla, Nketiah slotted back into the side up top and put in a superb finishing display.

The home-grown striker showcased his predatory skills inside the box, as well as a brilliant long-range finish from outside the box.

And it puts Nketiah on five league goals for the season, equalling his best-ever tally after just 10 games played. 

Nketiah has received stick on a number of occasions in his Arsenal career, but he always finds a way to impress Mikel Arteta and games like this show why he can be a good rotation option.

Emile Smith Rowe also came into the side for his first league start since May 2022, operating in left central midfield with Kai Havertz playing on the right side. 

It was a tidy display for Smith Rowe who flashed his intricate one and two touch play and racked up an assist for Nketiah’s third goal.

As with the centre forward position, the attacking midfield spots are full of competition and games like Sheffield United are the perfect way for rotation options to show what they can do.

It also keeps them match sharp, something that has plagued Arteta in recent seasons when injuries start kicking in. 

So far, Arteta has used his squad well -Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu netted the other goals against the Blades - and kept a larger group ready to go for when he needs them.

In midweek, we saw Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard featuring in the top 30 of the men's Ballon d’Or in an acknowledgement of how far Arsenal have come under Arteta with a number of world leading players. 

In future years, it would be no surprise to see William Saliba, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli all join Saka and Odegaard on that list, especially as Arsenal continue to build towards a major trophy.

After a midweek Carabao Cup tie at West Ham United, Arsenal travel to St James’ Park to face Eddie Howe's improving Newcastle United at 5.30pm on Saturday as they look to take top spot from north London rivals Tottenham.

Last season the Gunners put in an impressive display led by Jorginho, who may be chosen to anchor the midfield again this year alongside Rice.