![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta made five changes for the visit of the Blades and it was Nketiah \u2013 in for the injured Gabriel Jesus \u2013 who proved the difference and ended a memorable afternoon wearing the captain\u2019s armband.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s fringe players took centre-stage.<\/p>\n
Martin Odegaard dropped to the bench in the most eye-catching of Arteta\u2019s alterations, which also saw Emile Smith Rowe make his first league start since May 2022.<\/p>\n
The victory took Arsenal up to second place, two points behind leaders and north London rivals Tottenham as Arteta\u2019s men remained unbeaten after 10 league games.<\/p>\n
For the Blades, this was a galling afternoon where \u2013 once their resolute defence was breached for the first goal just before the half-hour mark \u2013 the writing was on the wall.<\/p>\n
The travelling fans sang the name of under pressure manager Paul Heckingbottom but they have still yet to see their team win on their return to the top-flight, with just one point on the board.<\/p>\n
With Jesus facing a few weeks out with a hamstring issue, Nketiah has once again been tasked with filling his boots as Arsenal\u2019s go-to centre-forward.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Nketiah, who made his England debut of the bench in 1-0 friendly win over Australia earlier this month, saved the best for last.<\/p>\n
Collecting a pass from Smith Rowe, the 24-year-old rifled home from 20 yards to complete his hat-trick.<\/p>\n
Saka, captain in the absence of Odegaard and Jesus, was replaced soon after and \u2013 to cheers from the home supporters \u2013 gave the armband to Nketiah.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But instead Vieira dusted himself down to send Foderingham the wrong way and further extend the lead.<\/p>\n
Tomiyasu rounded off the scoring deep into added time after Mohamed Elneny\u2019s flick on from a near-post corner was deflected into the path of the Japan defender.<\/p>\n