In what was one of the most one-sided games in English Premier League history, a rampant Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday.
It was hard not to feel sorry for the Blades fans who had made the effort to attend the match at Bramall Lane, as the visiting Arsenal simply pummeled the host in a flurry of attacking intent.
In truth, the game was over after just 15 minutes as the Gunners raced into a 3-0 lead.
Captain Martin Ødegaard got the show started with a goal in the fifth minute, shortly followed by an own-goal by Jayden Bogle. Once Gabriel Martinelli got the third in the 15th minute, many Sheffield United supporters decided they had seen enough and started to leave the stadium.
The mass exodus only ramped up after Kai Havertz and Declan Rice made it 5-0 before half-time.
“That was a disgrace in terms of a half of football,” Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said during the broadcast at half-time. “I think it was one of the most one-sided games I’ve ever seen.
“That’s shocking. I can’t think of anything worse that I’ve ever seen in a half of football.”
Despite the Premier League’s biggest win record of 9-0 in its sights, Arsenal only managed to score one more goal after the break, courtesy of defender Ben White.
But Sheffield’s stadium looked notably empty by the end of the night, with large swathes of home supporters leaving way before the final whistle. Arsenal fans, meanwhile, looked to be enjoying their trip.